12 November 2023 , 13:48
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is plotting to beat a host of Premier League giants to the signing of Copenhagen wonderkid Ronny Bardghji, who recently broke Manchester United hearts.
Bardghji turns 18 next week and scored a spectacular late winner as Copenhagen dramatically beat United 4-3 in a thrilling Champions League group-stage clash on Wednesday. The Kuwait-born Sweden youth international is being monitored by multiple Premier League clubs, but French side Nice could make the first move.
Nice have been owned by Ratcliffe's petrochemical company, INEOS, since 2019 and have become a hub for exciting talents from across Europe. Currently second in Ligue 1 after a superb start to life under 34-year-old boss Francesco Farioli, the Sun reports that the French outfit are lining up a transfer swoop amid Ratcliffe's £1.4billion deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in United, giving him control of football operations.
Nice will face competition, though, as Chelsea, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are reported to be among the English top-flight teams who are keen on acquiring Bardghji's sought-after signature. The 17-year-old winger, who prefers to play on the right flank and cut inside on his left foot, has scored eight goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season.
Thanks to his playing style, Bardghji is nicknamed the 'Swedish Messi' and attracted attention from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax during his move to Copenhagen from native giants Malmo three years ago. But his dream club is none of those.
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"I want to end up at Real Madrid and I want to play there for many years," he revealed in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet a year ago.
Have your say! Should Man Utd hijack Nice's move to sign Roony Bardghji? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Roony Bardghji scored the winner as Copenhagen beat Manchester United 4-3 on Wednesday (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)Bardghji's 87th-minute goal against United took his stock to new heights and the Danish heavyweights will be able to offer him a lucrative contract following his 18th birthday next Wednesday. A new and improved deal would drive up Copenhagen's asking price, which is currently said to be around £10million.
Born in Kuwait to a Syrian family before moving to Sweden as a child, Bardghji also says: "My goal is to become the best footballer in the world. I've had that dream since I was a kid and nothing can stop me except myself."
He still isn't short of confidence, as Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup remarked after his Champions League heroics: "This kid actually thinks he's born to score the winner in games like these. I love his attitude."