Barcelona protect Casado and Fort as Bardghji injury threatens transfer plans

Barcelona have taken precautions with Marc Casado and Hector Fort after Roony Bardghji suffered a right knee injury in training, with the club keen to avoid another setback that could affect its plans for the transfer window.

Sweden winger Bardghji was expected to be available for a move away from Barcelona, but his injury is now likely to prevent that departure. He is undergoing medical examinations on Tuesday to establish the full extent of the problem after experiencing discomfort in his knee during the session.

Although the precise diagnosis has yet to be confirmed, all indications point to a serious injury that could keep Bardghji out for several months.

Barcelona have responded by reducing the training workload of Casado and Fort. The midfielder and full-back completed part of Tuesday’s work with the main group before carrying out another section separately.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the two players did not train at the same intensity as the rest of the squad. They worked apart only during the most physical and contact-heavy part of the session.

The decision was not related to disciplinary action, and neither player is injured. Instead, Barcelona are attempting to protect them from suffering an injury that could complicate their expected departures from Spotify Camp Nou.

The club’s intention is to find either a loan move or a permanent transfer for both players in the coming days. Barcelona do not want either Casado or Fort to suffer the same fate as Bardghji and see their potential move collapse because of an injury.

Club officials and the coaching staff agreed in recent hours that Casado and Fort should take part in only a limited amount of group training. Both players are not considered part of Hansi Flick’s plans, and the measure underlines that situation more clearly.

Neither player has been formally excluded from the squad through punishment, but the decision is a further indication that Barcelona do not currently view them as central to the first-team project.

Fort had still held some hope of remaining at Barcelona until only a few hours earlier, despite receiving offers from other clubs. He now appears to have reached the same conclusion as Casado: if he wants regular playing time, he will need to look for it away from Spotify Camp Nou.

The full-back spent last season on loan at Elche. Casado, meanwhile, is also being considered for a move as Barcelona seek to manage their squad and prevent any further injuries from disrupting their plans.

The club is now waiting for Bardghji’s test results before his situation can be assessed in detail. His expected absence for several months would represent a significant setback for the winger and has already altered the immediate transfer outlook surrounding him.