Before Roony Bardghji, Barcelona Pursued Argentine Winger in €10 Million Deal

Barcelona's acquisition of Roony Bardghji during the summer transfer window is already being hailed as a smart move by the club.

Deco, the club's sporting director, and his team prioritized value for money when they chose the Swedish winger. The deal was finalized for just over two million euros, which is seen as a bargain given Bardghji's potential and the impact he's made so far.

Bardghji has impressed since his arrival, putting in convincing performances whenever coach Hansi Flick has given him the opportunity.

**Subiabre Was Initially the Priority**

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. according to Carlos Monfort of SPORT, Barcelona had their sights set on another young winger before settling on Bardghji: Ian Subiabre of River Plate.

Barcelona had been actively scouting South America for a young, talented winger, and Subiabre's profile was particularly appealing to the club's leadership.

Barcelona was so impressed that they made a formal offer of close to €10 million for the 18-year-old Argentine attacker. Subiabre had scored three goals in six matches at the recent South American U-20 Championship.

Ultimately, the La Liga club decided to pursue Bardghji, largely due to Deco's strong recommendation. The former midfielder had been monitoring the Swedish youngster for several months and considered him a personal favorite.

Deco's interest remained strong even after Bardghji suffered a long-term injury, as he had confidence in the player's talent and future potential. The club's decision to sign Bardghji now appears to be a wise one.

This season, the 20-year-old Swede has recorded one goal and two assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, playing a total of 341 minutes.

Subiabre, meanwhile, remains at River Plate and continues to attract interest from several major European clubs. His contract with the Argentinian club runs until December 31, 2026.