Martin Braithwaite believes now is the time for Barcelona to offer him a pay rise despite their financial crisis, per Mundo Deportivo, amid interest from Tottenham and West Ham.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta revealed on Monday that the Catalan giants are more than £1.1bn in debt. La Liga also refused to sanction Lionel Messi’s new contract as Barca would have exceeded 110% of their income on contracts by renewing the Argentine’s deal.
Gerard Pique additionally became the latest player to reduce his salary to help Barcelona in their time of need. Without the Spaniard’s sacrifice, they would not have been allowed to register the transfers of Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
Mundo Deportivo expect others will follow Pique in taking pay cuts, yet Braithwaite wants Barcelona to increase his. The striker joined the Camp Nou side last year for €18m (£15.5m) but kept the same wage as he was earning with Leganes.
Barcelona could raise some much-needed funds by selling Braithwaite amid interest from West Ham and Tottenham. Sport report the Hammers agreed a €15m (£13m) deal in July, but failed to settle personal terms. Spurs have also included him on their striker shortlist.
Yet Braithwaite seemingly sees his future at Barcelona and believes they should increase his wage as he is a starter after Messi’s exit. The Dane also stood up to help inspire an opening day win over Real Sociedad with a brace and an assist on Sunday.
Braithwaite feels hurt by the way Barcelona have handled his future this summer, as well. Ronald Koeman’s side have sought suitors willing to buy the 30-year-old and handed Depay his number nine jersey. Instead, he now wears #12, but sees it as an insult by the hierarchy.
Braithwaite tells West Ham and Tottenham criteria for Barcelona exit
Braithwaite’s frustrations with Barcelona tell West Ham and Tottenham what is needed to bring the striker to England this summer. The Irons already found out how much they must pay to sign the 56-cap forward last month at €18m (£15.5m).
Now, the striker has issued a startling demand for a pay rise at a time of crisis. He also wants to feel valued and be a key player, which is unlikely to be possible at Spurs. Only should Harry Kane leave Tottenham will a space open for Braithwaite to be the main man.
West Ham could offer Braithwaite a key role with Michail Antonio the only recognised senior striker available to Moyes. But the Irons also have an interest in signing Real Madrid forward Luka Jovic or Wolfsburg’s star frontman Wout Weghorst.
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