Martin Braithwaite has terminated his contract with La Liga giants Barcelona after being offered to Premier League outfit Leeds United earlier in the window, via the Blaugrana’s official website.
While Bamba Dieng is not officially a Leeds player, he’s as good as. An £8.5 million fee has been agreed with Marseille. And chairman Andrea Radrizzani certainly let the cat out of the bag this afternoon; ‘welcoming’ the Senegal international to Elland Road.
Dieng might not be the last new face to arrive before tonight’s 11pm deadline, however. ‘Don’t go to bed just yet,’ hey Leeds fans. Radrizzani confirms that interest in PSV Eindhoven talisman Cody Gakpo remains active.
The sudden availability of Braithwaite, meanwhile, should give Jesse Marsch, Victor Orta and co food for thought. Though not as gifted or as exciting as Gakpo, Braithwaite would represent excellent value on a free transfer.
Barcelona terminate Martin Braithwaite’s Camp Nou contract
Furthermore, there remains a feeling that Leeds are at their most dangerous when operating with a classic number nine through the middle. Braithwaite would give Marsch a like-for-like replacement for Patrick Bamford if the injury curse strikes again; freeing up Dieng, Rodrigo Moreno and co to drift into other areas.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Braithwaite – a shock £16 million signing from Leganes in 2020 – was offered to Leeds. The Barcelona benchwarmer also turned down Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham last summer.
Where he ends up next, only time will tell. Barcelona, after trying so hard and for so long to get him off their books, have agreed to terminate Braithwaite’s contract, freeing up the Denmark international to embark upon a new challenge and get his career back on track.
According to reports, Catalan neighbours Espanyol are his most likely destination. Los Periquitos could be about to move on from out-of-favour talisman Raul de Tomas.
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