Everton, Leicester City and Southampton would have to pay around €600,000 to sign Martin Braithwaite this summer, rather than being able to get him on a free transfer.
That’s according to AS, who dispute reports in the Danish media that the veteran would be available for nothing until later this month.
A report yesterday from Tipsbladet stated that Everton, Leicester and Southampton had all spoken to Braithwaite about a potential move this summer.
They made it clear that the Espanyol forward was in a favourable position as he was set to be a free agent until this month and that had attracted the Premier League trio and other suitors.
AS now follow that up and explain the Premier League ‘stalks’ Braithwaite following his great campaign for Espanyol last season, which saw him finish as top goal scorer in La Liga 2.
They’re trying to sign him to a new deal but that’s becoming harder and the fact he has a €600,000 release clause in his deal makes life difficult.
Now this is contrary to what was previously reported, with Tipsbladet having made it clear he was due to be a free agent until later this month. Instead, AS are saying the Premier League trio would have to pay a fee, albeit a relatively low one.
According to their information that figure is in his contract and that means his future is unclear as it makes him ‘highly coveted’ given how low it is.
They say while the player is happy at the club and in Barcelona, where his family are settled, and has bought into the club and the fanbase, the reality is that Espanyol can’t get near to the economic conditions he can get elsewhere. Similarly, there are projects which are more enticing on a sporting level.
The newspaper insists that in reality, the player’s ambitions are grander than the clubs and appearance of three Premier League clubs could have him turning his head.
They’re all attracted by the low clause, which while not being as enticing as a free transfer, is still small enough to make an overall package to sign him cheap enough to worth considering.
