Rumoured West Ham transfer target Martin Braithwaite has reportedly underlined his determination to remain a Barcelona player as a host of sources have linked the Danish striker with a move in January.
ESPN have claimed that Braithwaite is ‘adamant’ he wants to stay in Catalonia despite struggling to hold down a first team place since his emergency transfer back in February. The Hammers were linked with a summer move for the Barca man but no deal came to fruition.
Capped 46 times by Denmark, the striker proved his worth to Ronald Koeman’s side amid all the rumours of his impending departure last week as the 29-year-old scored twice during Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv.
Despite his protestations, Braithwaite’s future could ultimately be taken out of his hands should the powerbrokers at the Nou Camp decide they need to offload the former Middlesbrough man.
Clearly, he is in no rush to move, but should he be told in no uncertain terms his future lies elsewhere and his first team opportunities were going to be scarce in Barcelona, surely he would be left with no choice but to seek pastures new.
This could be where David Moyes and the Hammers step in.
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The West Ham squad is in obvious need of another striker to bolster Moyes’ options – despite his lack of game-time in recent months, Braithwaite is nonetheless playing for one of the greatest clubs in world football.
Indeed, Nou Camp team-mate Luis Suaurez said that the Dane was at a ‘great level‘ upon joining the La Liga giants earlier this year.
Chances to sign players from a club like Barcelona don’t present themselves to the Irons in every transfer window, and although he would be departing Spain as something of a cast-off, his credentials are certainly in no way damaged by his time at the Catalan giants.
