According to a recent report from Sport as cited by Sport Witness, Everton are said to be interested in signing Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite. The Catalan giants signed the 28-year-old from Leganes outside of the transfer window not too long ago. The report adds that Barcelona planned to increase his transfer value and cash in on him in the upcoming transfer window after using him for half a season. However, their plans have taken a setback with football being suspended.
Along with Everton, Torino and Sassuolo are also said to be interested in Braithwaite. However, the Premier League seems to be his most likely destination. London outfit West Ham United are also seemingly interested. The Danish international has the experience of playing in England as he was part of Middlesbrough’s side from 2017-2019. He impressed on loan for Leganes in 2019, and that earned him a permanent move to the La Liga club.
Nobody would have seen it coming when Barcelona signed him because of their injury crisis. The 28-year-old striker has eight goals to his name in all competitions this season. He made three appearances for Barcelona before the league got suspended.
Barcelona signed him for €18m, and the report mentions that Barcelona will not sell Braithwaite for less than that amount. However, they are open to selling him for a ‘good proposal.’
Everton currently have Moise Kean and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the two main strikers at the club. Cenk Tosun is presently on loan with Crystal Palace. Oumar Niasse is another option, but he has barely featured this campaign. We are expecting Tosun and Niasse to depart in the future and hence, Ancelotti might need to add one more striker to his arsenal. Calvert-Lewin firmly seems to be the first choice forward at the moment.
Should Everton go for Braithwaite?
The 28-year-old has played in the English second tier and in 36 appearances, Braithwaite managed eight goals for Middlesbrough. His record isn’t much to speak about honestly. Nevertheless, Braithwaite can use his strength and physicality well as a striker. He has decent pace and likes to work hard for his side.
As a backup striker, he could be worth considering. However, he is already 28 and Barcelona are not looking to sell him anywhere below €18m. We think that Everton should give it a miss if Barcelona are not willing to compromise on the striker’s price tag.
