According to reports, both Chelsea and Manchester United have been presented with an opportunity to sign former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, who is currently playing for RCD Espanyol. The Danish forward comes with a tempting release clause of just £5 million, making him an appealing prospect for clubs across Europe.
Braithwaite made the move to Espanyol in 2022 after departing Barcelona, joining the club as a free agent. Since then, the 32-year-old has been showcasing his talent in the Spanish Segunda División, where he has notched up an impressive tally of 11 goals in 21 appearances this season.
Various clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, have expressed interest in securing Braithwaite’s signature, as reported by HITC. Both teams need to bolster their attacking options this month, particularly given their current lack of depth in the forward positions.
While Chelsea were initially linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, a setback due to injury appears to have halted that pursuit. With key players like Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku unavailable, Armando Broja stands as Chelsea’s sole senior striker at the moment.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag suggested in a recent press conference that the club is unlikely to pursue a striker due to financial constraints. However, given the relatively low cost associated with Braithwaite’s release clause, the Dutch manager may find the prospect intriguing.
Having previously plied his trade in English football with Middlesbrough from 2017 to 2019, where he scored nine goals in 40 appearances, Braithwaite brings valuable experience to the table. The Danish international, capped 69 times, also had a stint at Barcelona, netting 10 goals in 58 appearances.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United view Braithwaite as a viable short-term solution to bolster their squads with experience and depth. However, they are likely to continue pursuing their primary transfer targets during the summer window.
In other news, both clubs are gearing up for FA Cup action in the fourth round of the 2023-24 season. Chelsea will face off against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Friday, January 26, while Manchester United will take on Newport County away on Sunday.
