Brighton could pursue Balde if Minter leaves as Barca seek buy-back clause

According to Sport, Bardghji may return to the Swedish national team earlier than expected. He was unexpectedly excluded from the 2026 World Cup squad due to internal conflicts with the coaching staff and some members of the locker room, but Potter has now sent conciliatory signals.

When asked about the future of the three young players who missed the World Cup—Bardghji, Williot Swedberg, and Hugo Larsson—Potter stated that none of the three has been ruled out for future call-ups.

Potter said: "Now is the time to think about the September training camp. The door is not closed. The team performed very well during the World Cup, but it is normal for the squad to change. That is football. The door remains open, and we will see what happens next."

His remarks stand in stark contrast to his attitude in May this year, when he even excluded Bardghji from the preliminary 50-man squad for World Cup qualification, with Bardghji's omission not solely due to competitive reasons.

Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet revealed at the time that the decision was linked to dissatisfaction following the World Cup play-off against Poland. In that match, Bardghji did not play a single minute, and his reaction after the game was not well received by the coaching staff or most of the locker room.

While his teammates celebrated qualifying for the World Cup, the player was alone and visibly upset. Internally, this was viewed as a lack of commitment to the team. He also expressed dissatisfaction with his limited opportunities and demanded an explanation from Potter. Ultimately, the incident led Potter to decide not to take him to the World Cup.

Potter's statement comes at a critical juncture for Bardghji's future. Bardghji has several options to leave this summer as he seeks playing time that has been hard to come by at Barcelona, where competition from Yamal has significantly reduced his opportunities.

In this scenario, Brighton & Hove Albion is considered one of the potential destinations for the Swedish winger. Yankuba Minteh could leave, and if he eventually transfers, Brighton & Hove Albion may formally pursue Bardghji. Barcelona has not ruled out completing a deal with a buy-back option.

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