Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to offer Martin Braithwaite an escape route out of Barcelona in the summer.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Newcastle United could battle La Liga sides Valencia and Celta Vigo in the race to sign Martin Braithwaite from Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The Danish forward, who has two more years left on his deal, has little chance of continuing at Barcelona next season, with the attacker not thought to be in Xavi’s long-term plans.
The Danish international joined Barcelona as an emergency signing in February 2020 after the Blaugrana paid Leganes €18 million for his services. While he has never been a spectacular performer, Braithwaite has proven his worth with his work ethic and has scored some vital goals along the way.
He had started the ongoing campaign on a positive note, scoring twice and registering one assist in the 4-2 win over Real Sociedad on the opening weekend of the campaign. Braithwaite suffered a knee injury against Getafe at the end of August and had to have surgery, which kept him out until January.
Xavi had taken charge at Camp Nou by the time he recovered and had told the former Middlesbrough forward to hunt for a new club during the January transfer window. But Braithwaite rejected the chance and decided to fight for his place at Barcelona in the second half of the season.
However, since then, Braithwaite has hardly been called upon by Xavi, and with reports claiming that Barcelona are planning to further bolster their attack in the summer, his chances of securing regular action will be even tougher next season.
To date, the Dane has made 58 appearances for the Catalan club, boasting a tally of ten goals and five assists. With the World Cup in Qatar scheduled for November, Braithwaite knows he has to get regular minutes somewhere if he wants to represent Denmark on football’s biggest platform. So, a summer departure is very much on the cards, with Barcelona eager to find a solution that can be beneficial for both the player and the club.
There appears to be no shortage of suitors for Braithwaite, with mid-table Spanish duo Valencia and Celta Vigo keen to secure his signature. Los Che have already approached Barcelona about signing the Danish international this summer as they look to regain their consistency after several seasons of midtable obscurity.
As far as Celta Vigo are concerned, they have one of the most prolific La Liga strikers in Iago Aspas. But with the Spaniard turning 35 this August, they are on the lookout for a versatile forward who can comfortably operate anywhere across the frontline. Braithwaite, available for a cut-price €8 million fee this summer, fits the bill for Los Celestes.
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The report by Fichajes has also thrown the name of Newcastle United into the mix, with the English club ready to wage a transfer battle for Braithwaite. This rumour, though, seems to have no legs, as Newcastle only placed a reported €60 million bid for Darwin Nunez last week. Furthermore, with Chris Wood and Callum Wilson both into their thirties, it is likely the Magpies will go for a younger alternative than the Barcelona forward.