Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
The agent of former Middlesbrough FC star Martin Braithwaite is reportedly in Barcelona negotiating the forward’s move to the club.
Reports linking Braithwaite, 28, to Barcelona first surfaced yesterday (Monday) where he was reported as being in the best position among candidates to be signed as the club looks for a replacement after losing key players to injury.
Other names rumoured to be possible options for Barcelona include former Arsenal flop Lucas Perez, 31, and Getafe striker Angel Rodriguez, 32.
However, local media said that Braithwaite’s agent Ali Dursun is currently in the city of Barcelona negotiating the forward’s move to the club from Leganes.
Barcelona received the ‘Okay’ from La Liga to sign a player yesterday (Monday) despite being out of the transfer window due to French superstar Ousmane Dembele’s prolonged absence due to injury – he is set to be out of action for six months as he recovers from surgery.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to pay the 18-million-EUR (15-million-GBP) release clause and according to Spanish newspaper ‘Sport’, Dursun is negotiating for Braithwaite’s contract with the club to last until June 2023.
Local media said Barcelona have until 6th March to make the transfer but are trying to carry out the signing before today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday) to have the forward in their squad as early as this weekend for their match against Eibar on Saturday 22nd February.
Braithwaite was sent to Leganes on a loan deal by Middlesbrough in January 2019 before he made the move permanent in July of the same year for a reported fee of 8.8 million GBP.
He has made 27 appearances for the club so far this year, scoring 8 goals and making one assist. Leganes are currently fighting relegation as they are 19th in La Liga with 19 points.
Barcelona are second in La Liga with 52.
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