West Ham United are reportedly interested in Martin Braithwaite and are intent on landing the Danish forward from Barcelona this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, West Ham United are among the Premier League clubs that are keen on signing Martin Braithwaite in the summer transfer window. The Danish forward knows that he could leave Barcelona, with the London giants vying for his signature with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Martin Braithwaite joined Barcelona from Leganes in February 2020 as an emergency signing. Since then, the Danish international has been a backup option in the first-team setup at Camp Nou, playing second fiddle to the likes of Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
To date, the 30-year-old forward has made 53 appearances for Barcelona, managing a return of just eight goals and four assists along the way. And this summer, his stint with the Blaugrana could be set to come to an end, as Barcelona look to reduce the squad size and balance their books in the process. Among the clubs tailing Braithwaite are West Ham United.
The East London outfit are reportedly in the market for an attacking reinforcement this summer. In particular, a striker is an urgent need of the hour for West Ham, who are yet to sign a replacement for Sebastien Haller following his move to Ajax in the January transfer window.
That move left David Moyes with the versatile Michail Antonio as the only recognised striker at his disposal, which is why the Hammers are now dipping their toes in the transfer market for a striker. To that end, West Ham have been linked with a number of forwards in recent times, including Giovanni Simeone.
There are several strikers from La Liga who are also on the London giants’ radar, including Youssef En-Nesyri and Maxi Gomez, with Braithwaite now emerging as a target as well. And the Dane is also aware that his time at Barcelona could be up, and for good reason.
With Barcelona signing Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero, the need for Braithwaite has been alleviated. His departure would also lighten the wage bill at Camp Nou. Meanwhile, apart from West Ham, fellow Premier League clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion are also keen on signing the 30-year-old.
What now remains to be seen is if West Ham United can beat the competition to swoop Braithwaite away from Camp Nou. What does appear to be certain, though, is that the Danish international is set to leave Barcelona this summer.