Leicester City have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a transfer target with a striker on the club’s wish-list now available for free.
Steve Cooper has already welcomed four new signings following taking over as Leicester City manager this summer and is keen to continue the club’s business to get the squad ready for the Premier League.
The Foxes have had to move on quickly from the departure of their promotion-winning manager and best player, with Enzo Maresca and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both leaving for Chelsea.
Abdul Fatawu has arrived permanently from Sporting Lisbon after a successful loan last season, whilst the club have signed Micheal Golding and Caleb Okoli from Chelsea and Atalanta respectively.
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The fourth signing so far has been the free capture of out of contract Bobby De Cordova-Reid, the 31-year-old bringing with him a wealth of Premier League experience.
Now, Leicester could secure their fifth signing of the summer free of charge, with a transfer target suddenly becoming available for no fee.
Leicester City target Martin Braithwaite now a free agent
Leicester are looking to sign a new striker this summer.
With Kelechi Iheanacho leaving upon the expiration of his contract and Tom Cannon potentially being sent out on loan, 37-year-old Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka could be the only striker options.
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With that in mind, it is no surprise that the club have been credited with interested in Espanyol striker Martin Braithwaite, who has just scored 22 goals to get the club promoted back to La Liga.
The 33-year-old had a release clause of just £500k which was tempting Leicester, but now he is available for free after triggering a clause in his contract.
That is according to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, who report that the forward has ‘decided to make use of the clause’ that allows him to exit his Espanyol contract from 15th July.
The report also credits Leicester with continued interest and claims Braithwaite has been ‘in dialogue’ with the club.
Luis Suarez said Braithwaite was at a ‘great level’ at Barcelona
Braithwaite has had a strange career.
Despite never really being prolific – including a spell at Middlesbrough where he scored nine in 40 games – the Denmark international found himself at the centre of a controversial move to Barcelona in 2020.
The move caused a lot of drama as it was allowed to take place outside of the transfer market as an ’emergency transfer’ following a season-sending injury to Ousmane Dembele.
Braithwaite was having a very good season at Leganes who had little choice but to agree to the £15 million sale and ended the season relegated without their main goalscorer.
Iconic Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was highly complimentary of Braithwaite upon his arrival at the Camp Nou, saying: “Martin is going to surprise people. He is at a great level.
“He was the best player Leganes had and, with the players he has around him at Barcelona, he can reach his potential.
“Bringing in players is good because it makes it more competitive and you’re fighting more for your place. Competition is healthy and for the good of the team.”
Whilst it may not be the kind of exciting signing Leicester fans were dreaming of upon their return to the Premier League, Braithwaite could prove a decent signing to add to the striker options Cooper has and will have minimal impact on the transfer budget.