Aston Villa and Fulham are locked in a transfer race to sign Barcelona forward Roony Bardghji, with reports suggesting the La Liga champions are prepared to sanction a £9m move this summer. The Cottagers, who sit 4th in the Premier League with 65 points and a +7 goal difference after a 2-1 win over Manchester City on May 24, could lose Morgan Rogers to Arsenal and need a replacement striker.
Why is Bardghji available?
Bardghji, a Sweden international, has struggled to break into Barcelona’s first team, managing just one goal and one assist in 21 La Liga appearances last season. Despite early promise at FC Copenhagen, where he earned praise from scout Jacek Kulig, his career has stalled at Barça, where he started just seven matches and created 14 chances-only three of them "big chances." With Villa on a five-game winning streak and facing a summer of uncertainty, Bardghji’s move could provide the forward firepower they lack.
What’s Villa’s transfer priority?
Villa’s need for a striker is urgent. With Morgan Rogers potentially joining Arsenal and Liverpool also targeting winger Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement from Shakhtar Donetsk, the club must act fast. Bardghji’s reported €10m asking price puts him in range, but his lack of Premier League experience raises questions about his ability to deliver immediately. Still, with Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans sidelined, Villa’s attack is already stretched thin.
What happens next?
Barcelona are open to a sale, and Villa’s 4th-place standing-20 points behind leaders Arsenal-gives them leverage. The next fixture, a Champions League clash against FC Porto on July 25, could influence Villa’s transfer window strategy. If Bardghji’s move stalls, Villa may need to pivot to other targets, but for now, the race to sign him is heating up.
