Barcelona separate six players from training after Rony Bardghji injury

Hansi Flick has taken the precautionary step of separating six Barcelona players from first-team training as the club seeks to avoid another injury damaging its plans in the transfer market.

Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that Sweden forward Rony Bardghji had suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, just days before the start of the new season. The injury is expected to disrupt the club’s plans for the player, who had been close to leaving and could have generated a transfer fee.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick has decided not to include six players in group sessions because their futures at Barcelona are also uncertain as the transfer window enters its final stages.

Marc Casado, Hector Fort, Jofre Torrents, Tommy Marques, Toni Fernandez and Guille Fernandez trained separately from the main squad.

The decision is understood to be primarily precautionary rather than tactical. Barcelona are concerned that an injury to any of the players could delay a transfer, complicate negotiations or affect the club’s wider plans before the window closes.

Casado and Jofre Torrents are regarded as the two players closest to departing Barcelona.

Casado was already left out of the squad for the team’s trip to Udine, where Barcelona took part in a friendly tournament involving Udinese and Nottingham Forest. His future is expected to be resolved in the coming days.

Torrents, a left-back, is also nearing a move away from the club. His transfer to Ajax has reached an advanced stage after the parties involved reached an understanding over the next step in his career.

The other four players have also attracted interest from clubs where they could receive more regular first-team football.

Hector Fort spent last season with Elche, while Tommy Marques, Guille Fernandez and Toni Fernandez have completed their time with Barcelona’s reserve side. All three are open to pursuing opportunities outside the club to continue their development and compete for more playing time.

The changes came during a Barcelona training session that also included the return of France defender Jules Kounde to pre-season work for the first time. Flick used several players from the reserve team as he continued preparations for Sunday’s friendly against Swiss side Basel.

Barcelona’s decision follows the setback involving Bardghji, whose injury came at a particularly difficult moment because he had been close to completing a move. By reducing the risk of similar problems affecting players whose futures are being negotiated, Flick and the club are attempting to protect both their squad plans and their potential transfer income.

For now, the six players remain involved in preparations away from the main group, while Barcelona works to settle their respective situations during the closing days of the transfer window.