Transfer Centre

Martin Braithwaite 'sets out demands for Barcelona exit'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 03 August 2022

Martin Braithwaite tells Barcelona that he wants the final two years of his contract paid up in full to agree to a departure, according to a report.

Martin Braithwaite has reportedly told Barcelona that he wants the final two years of his contract paid up in full in order to agree to leave Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.

The Denmark international has allegedly been told that he is not in the plans of head coach Xavi moving forward, but he remains contracted to the Catalan giants until 2024.

Barcelona had allegedly been hopeful of coming to an agreement with the player that would see him terminate his deal at Camp Nou, allowing him to join another club for free.

However, according to Sport, despite receiving a number of offers, one of which is a lucrative contract from a Saudi Arabian club, Braithwaite is holding firm on his position.

The report claims that the experienced attacker will be on his way out of the club this summer one way or another, with Barcelona potentially being forced to pay off his contract.

Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite celebrates scoring their third goal against Real Sociedad in La Liga on August 15, 2021 © Reuters

Braithwaite moved to Barcelona from Leganes in February 2020, with the forward being allowed to move to Camp Nou as an emergency signing following the long-term injury to Ousmane Dembele.

The 31-year-old started the 2021-22 campaign in impressive fashion, scoring twice and registering one assist in the team's first match of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad.

Braithwaite then went on to feature against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe but was out of action between September and the middle of January due to a serious knee injury.

The Dane only played once in the second half of the campaign, though, having fallen down the pecking order following the club's business during the January transfer window.

After representing his country during the UEFA Nations League matches in June, Braithwaite admitted that he was frustrated with how the second half of last season unfolded.

Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite celebrates scoring against Juventus on August 8, 2021 © Reuters

"I've played more in these four games than in the whole season there [at Barcelona]," Braithwaite told TV 2 SPORT. "It's been fantastic and I'm very happy with the confidence Kasper [Hjulmand] has given me.

"I was well aware that I couldn't count on coming in and starting every game, but I knew that in training and in the limited minutes I had, I had to convince Hjulmand that I was fit.

"I feel that I have shown that I am strong, that I am myself and that I have recovered from my injury. I am insanely happy, and insanely grateful for the trust they [Denmark's coaching staff] have given me.

"It's been great to be back after not being here since the European Championship. I'm proud to be back and to be able to help the team again."

Barcelona have boosted their attack this summer with the arrivals of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, which has pushed Braithwaite further down the pecking order at the club.