Barcelona Announce The Emergency Signing Of Martin Braithwite Outside Of Transfer Window
FC Barcelona have announced the emergency signing of Leganes striker, Martin Braithwhite after activating his release clause of €18m.
The Dane has put pen to paper, signing a four-and-half-year deal with the Catalans including a buy-out clause of about €300m.
The Catalan giants triggered Braithwaite’s release clause on Thursday and he will be officially presented to the fans this afternoon.
Braithwhite, 28 sealed a permanent move to Leganes from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2019 having seen a successful Six-Month loan spell at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque.
The Danish striker was a regular in Leganes’ starting lineup this term, finding the net six times in 24 league appearances, with the club in a serious relegation battle.
He is now expected to help Barcelona in their charge for a third successive league title, and could potentially lineup in the Blaugranas league encounter with Eibar on Saturday.
The permission to sign a forward on emergency basis following the season-long injury to Ousmane Dembele was granted by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The France International has been restricted to the sidelines due to injury for another six months following a surgery done on his hamstring. This has inadvertently left Quique Setien short on attacking options with Luis Suarez also out injured.
Barcelona were given a 15-day grace to land a striker from another Laliga club or a free agent and they opted for Braithwaite amidst links to other players like Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams or Getafe’s Angel Rodriguez.
The Catalan giants have endured a turbulent season marred by injuries and off the pitch issues.
Club captain, Lionel Messi was recently involved in a public spat with Barcelona’s sporting director, Eric Abidal after the latter accused the players of not putting in their best under the stead of former manager, Ernesto Valverde.
Amidst all of this interest, Setien is expected to keep his players focused on their primary objective of winning the Laliga.
