The Toulouse attacker has addressed speculation about his future at the Ligue 1 club.
Martin Braithwaite (L) – Picture Supplied by Action Images
Sunderland and West Ham are two of a number of Premier League clubs who will have been disappointed by Toulouse forward Martin Braithwaite this week committing his future to the Ligue 1 side, in comments appearing in the Mail via Omnisport.
The Denmark international was one of the options on West Ham’s shortlist according to the Mail, while the Black Cats were said to be close to bringing the forward in earlier in the summer.
But Braithwaite is staying put for now, having been made the club’s captain this season.
“There have been a lot of rumours, and some of them are true,” Braithwaite is quoted by the Mail as telling Omnisport.
“There have been some offers but they haven’t been good enough for the club to sell me, or anything good enough in my eyes to make me push to go.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
“I want to stay in Toulouse one more year because we have something really nice going on. I think we’re in for a great season.
“This is a big city and it’s a nice city in France and we have so much unfulfilled potential that I feel we can accomplish this season. I’m sure we have a big season ahead.”
Sunderland have been active in the transfer market this summer as they seek to avoid another relegation battle, an event that has become something of an annual occurrence at the Stadium of Light, and have long been linked with 25-year-old Braithwaite (Chronicle) – a player who netted a career best 13 goals last season.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
But the Dane will be leading the line for Toulouse this season as skipper following the sale of main man Wissam Ben Yedder to Seville and the departure of Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro.
The Black Cats have their fourth manager in charge in just three seasons with former Manchester United and Everton boss David Moyes, but have still struggled to get any points on the board from the opening two Premier League matches.
If anything this disappointing start will probably mean Sunderland are a little more likely to consider bringing in anyone that can strengthen the squad, but it is looking like Braithwaite won’t be one of the new faces.
Likewise, West Ham’s chase for a striker has led them to look into a variety of options, and the Londoners were rumoured to be considering Braithwaite for £2.5 million (Mail) and Ben Yedder before the Frenchman moved to Spain.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic before the game
Slaven Bilic has already brought in Argentinian Jonathan Calleri on loan, but will was still looking for another attacker even before Andy Carroll’s recent injury blow.
As the transfer window enters its final few days, it is probable that clubs looking to strengthen the same position may come into conflict with each other in their pursuit of certain players, and it could be that Sunderland and West Ham find themselves chasing the same man once more before deaden day passes.
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