Martin Braithwaite’s Barcelona career is less than a year old but he’s seen enough drama in the past nine months to last a lifetime. It includes an 8-2 Champions League humiliaton, a La Liga title collapse, a managerial sacking, the bitter Leo Messi saga and the resignation of an entire board.
And it’s fair to suggest one of the most controversial signings in recent La Liga history has also proven one of the most underwhelming.
In February, when Quique Setien was just getting his feet under thet table, Barca were given special dispensation to sign Braithwaite outside the transfer window after an injury crisis crippled their forward line.
Leganes could do nothing as Barca triggered the £18 million release clause in Braithwaite’s contract. To rub salt in the wounds, the Madrid-based outfit were barred from signing a replacement of their own.
Why? Because La Liga ruled Leganes weren’t in the middle of an injury crisis and therefore not allowed to sign a replacement outside the window.
The hapless Leganes’ relegation was confirmed a few months later – a lack of goals being the main reason behind their failed survival bid.
And it’s not as if Braithwaite set the world alight at Camp Nou either. Far from it.
Despite being handed the number nine shirt over the summer, the Denmark international has played just 37 minutes of La Liga football this term. According to MD, manager Ronald Koeman has already lost patience and plans to sell Braithwaite in January.
Barca, then, will be praying Premier League suitors remain interested.
MD reported Everton and West Ham United were keen, with David Moyes’ side holding advanced talks with a striker whose £18 million release clause makes him an affordable option.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin the only convincing centre-forward at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal and Sebastien Haller failing to fire at West Ham, Braithwaite could still be offered an escape route out of his Camp Nou purgatory.
Nine months, three La Liga starts, one goal for Braithwaite at Barcelona – Leganes deserved better.
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