Barcelona signed the Swedish 19-year-old forward Roony Bardghji from Copenhagen on a formal basis. It wasn't a statement or headlined, and the €2m transfer barely caused a ripple in a summer of inflated deals. There is, however, something about this transfer that doesn't feel like not worth watching.
Few fans know the name of Bardghji. But inside the club, his name has been in the frame for quite a while. Deco, now in Barça's administration, had been tracking him extensively for over a year. What did the impress was not pace or panache, but how unflustered he looked on the ball. In 84 appearances at Copenhagen, he netted 15 goals and added an assist. Small figures in print, but they carry more weight when you factor in age, league, and position.
He had alternatives but one destination
This isn't the kind of transaction Barça used to make. But this is the kind of transaction they have now been forced to make. With limited resources, the club is looking for low-cost, young talent with a potential to develop. There is no room for €50 million mistakes any longer. Players like Bardghji herald a new way low-risk, high-potential, long-term.
Bardghji didn't arrive at Barcelona by accident. Despite interest elsewhere, he was always definite: he wanted Barça. It was the club he grew up for, the shirt he had always aspired to pull on. At a time when transfers are so frequently made on the basis of cash, this sort of signing is out of the ordinary. Yet it makes supporters root for it more as well. It strikes a chord.
No need to deliver now, but the door is open
No one is looking for Bardghji to walk into the starting eleven. He'll have his time. The team is still finding its footing, and the coaching staff is all too aware of the need for patience. He'll play bits and pieces this season, maybe in cup competitions or as a relief substitute. That's exactly the type of environment that gets younger players adjusted.
Of Swedish and Syrian nationality, Kuwait-born, Bardghji possesses a unique background. He's one of a generation of players shaped by a range of cultures, and that is reflected in the way they view the game, and how the world sees them. That contrast of opinions brings value beyond what happens on the pitch.
No one's pretending that Bardghji is the next big star. He's raw, and lots of talented teenagers burn out before they ever get their groove. But the risk in this case is low. For €2 million, the potential reward is huge if it all comes together. If it doesn't pan out, the financial loss is negligible.
This signing wasn't done on account of what Bardghji done, but due to why he's here. He didn't sign for the publicity. He signed because he wanted to. That kind of passion does matter, especially in a club looking to rebuild identity and culture. Sometimes that's where the genuinely good stories begin.