Ridiculous buy-out clause inserted as Barcelona seal Braithwaite deal

Jo Harrison

Barcelona have completed the emergency signing of former Middlesbrough flop Martin Braithwaite in a £15million deal – inserting a ludicrous £250million buy-out clause in his contract.

The 28-year-old, who has spent the season at La Liga counterparts Leganes, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the club following the long-term injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez.

The rumours about the ex-Middlesbrough forward surfaced after the Catalan giants were granted permission to sign an ’emergency’ forward outside of the January transfer window after being left with just three forwards until the end of the season – one of whom is just 17-years-old.

Despite a plethora of forwards being mentioned, including Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose, Barca were given the green light to sign a new forward by the officials – opting for Braithwaite, who has scored six goals and provided one assist in a struggling Leganes side.

Braithwaite joined Boro in 2017 after impressing for Ligue 1 side Tolouse – with the potent strike partnership of the Dane and Wissam Ben Yedder saving them from relegation and catching the eye of many suitors.

As such, Braithwaite became the club’s third signing of the season and made his league debut in a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in August.

The forward endured a disappointing two-year stint at the Riverside Stadium, netting nine times in 40 appearances, before joining Bordeaux on loan in 2018 and eventually Leganes – before his shock move to Barcelona.

Barcelona will welcome their new forward at the Camp Nou on Saturday, where he could be in line to make his debut against La Liga outfit Eibar.