West Ham United and Everton are in talks with Barcelona over the signing of £16 million striker Martin Braithwaite, according to Mundo Deportivo.
In hindsight, one of the most controversial transfers in modern Spanish football history did no one much good in the end.
Whoever would have guessed?
Fury reigned when an injury-hit Barca exercised their ‘right’ to make an emergency signing outside the transfer window, triggering the £16 million release clause in Braithwaite’s Leganes contract back in February.
Five months later, Barcelona gift-wrapped their La Liga crown title and handed it over to bitter rivals Real Madrid while Leganes, shorn of their top scorer and star man, were relegated.
Braithwaite, meanwhile, started just four La Liga matches for the Catalan giants.
Was it all worth it?
According to reports today, Barca are now looking to cash in on the Danish international.
They won’t even have a profit to soak up those title-losing tears, with MD adding that Braithwaite’s departure will see the five-time European champions merely break even on their £16 million investment.
Everton have an excellent relationship with Barca.
After rescuing Camp Nou benchwarmers Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina, Braithwaite could be set to follow in their footsteps.
The Toffees, alongside West Ham, have both entered talks to sign a former Middlesbrough forward who, while far from prolific, is a skillful, adaptable operator in the final third.
There is a reason, after all, why Barcelona felt he could do an admirable job in Catalonia just a few months back.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
