Barcelona negotiating Martin Braithwaite exit with West Ham and Everton - report

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Braithwaite’s future seems to be in the EPL

Barcelona are reportedly already negotiating the sale of Martin Braithwaite to the English Premier League, with West Ham and Everton the favorites right now.

Braithwaite, who was signed as an emergency injury replacement this season from Leganés, would be returning to England as a more accomplished player than when he left. He signed for Middlesbrough in the Championship in 2017. Few thought he would end up at Barcelona after he left on loan to Bordeaux in 2018.

The forward is ineligible to play the UEFA Champions League, because he was registered due to a La Liga rule that allows teams to sign a replacement for an injured player outside of the traditional transfer windows. Therefore, he may have kicked his last ball as a Barcelona player in an official match already.

He scored one goal in four starts, plus seven substitute appearances, for the Catalans. He had previously gotten six in 24 games for Leganés this season. Los Pepineros were relegated this season, finishing a point behind safety.

The Toffees have a good relationship with Barcelona, having bought several players from the Catalans in previous years. Meanwhile, the Hammers have been fans of the Danish forward since his time at Lega.

Braithwaite was signed this February for 18 million euros as a replacement for the injured Ousmane Dembélé. The coronavirus break, however, gave time for Luis Suárez to recover and even Dembélé is said to be approaching match fitness. In the end, the Dane got less chances than previously thought.

Barcelona are hoping to recoup the money they spent paying his release clause. Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad, and Sevilla are rumored to be interested in him, but because of his price tag, it seems Premier League teams may be more likely to snap him up.

Source: barcablaugranes.com