According to AS, West Ham United had a deal agreed to sign Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite – but the deal fell through.
It’s claimed that Braithwaite was ‘about to sign’ for West Ham, but the deal broke down for unknown reasons.
Barcelona allegedly hope to get their €18million (£16million) back having paid that fee to sign Braithwaite from Leganes earlier this year.
However, the report notes that his market value is now just €7.5million (£6.7million), meaning West Ham could yet land a discount of nearly £10million.
Braithwaite was a surprise signing for Barca in February 2020, as they needed an emergency striker signing due to Ousmane Dembele’s injury.
Having struggled at Middlesbrough, the 29-year-old wasn’t expected to be playing for Barcelona any time soon, but he has scored once in 16 appearances for them.
Unsurprisingly, Barca now want rid of Braithwaite, and it would be little surprise to see the Hammers make another move in January.
West Ham need a striker to support Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller, and if they can get a bargain deal for Braithwaite, then it could well be resurrected.
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