Man Utd's key advantage in signing next Rooney

Stuart Telford

• 12 Nov 2023 03:54 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have an ace in the hole when it comes to signing Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen, with future co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to sign him for Nice.

Bardghji broke Man Utd hearts last Wednesday when he came off the bench to snatch a 4-3 win over the Red Devils in Champions League Group A, leaving their European hopes hanging by a thread.

The Kuwait-born Sweden U21 international is named after Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney, and while a step up to the platform he once dominated might be premature, Nice are confident of signing him ahead of a host of Premier League suitors.

READ: Who is Roony Bardghji? The Swedish wonderkid wanted by Chelsea

"Chelsea, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are thought to be amongst his main his admirers," reports The Sun's Alan Nixon. "But French side Nice, who are owned by prospective United supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe, could make the first move."

This game has everything! 🤯

At 17 years old, Roony Bardghji puts Copenhagen ahead with this stunning strike! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/GZZ6ULgyqO

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 8, 2023

Bardghji's path

Bardghji is valued at €22.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, so Nice might have to match the club record fee they paid Lorient for Terem Moffi's services in the summer if they are to get their man.

If his trajectory continues at the current rate, Bardghji could well find himself at United in due course, especially with Ratcliffe on the cusp of completing his £1.3 billion bid for a 25 per cent stake in the record English champions.

READ: Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim makes stadium call

Clubs aren't meant to show bias about whom they sell to, but those under the same umbrella regularly sell to others at favourable prices. Jean-Clair Todibo and Khephren Thuram are among the players most likely to follow Ratcliffe to Manchester as things stand.

Nice are currently second to PSG at the Ligue 1 summit, while United have pulled up to sixth in England after back-to-back wins over Fulham and Luton.