Chelsea and Man Utd 'considering' shock move for Barcelona flop

Cameron Smith

• 29 Jan 2024 14:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite as they seek attacking reinforcements.

Both clubs have been heavily linked with signing a new striker during the January transfer window, but neither have been able to land a suitable target.

Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson is a player that both clubs are interested in signing, while Karim Benzema now looks unlikely to seal a Premier League move.

Lille star Jonathan David is also admired by Chelsea and Man Utd, but the Canadian is set to stay in Ligue 1 until this summer at least.

As a result, they have both turned to Espanyol forward Martin Braithwaite, who is most well-known for his failed spell at Barcelona.

The Denmark international has 11 goals in 21 league games so far this season and has a €7 million release clause in his current contract.

Martin Braithwaite to return to England?

It was recently reported that Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal had been offered the chance to sign Braithwaite, while Marca (via The Express) have revealed that Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are now tempted to purchase the 32-year-old.

While Braithwaite has a €7m release clause, he could join on a free transfer this summer if Espanyol fail to achieve promotion back to La Liga.

However, Chelsea and Man Utd are interested in signing him before the January window shuts as they seek to provide support for Nicolas Jackson and Rasmus Hojlund, respectively.

Both Premier league giants are now in talks with Braithwaite as they ponder signing him before Deadline Day on 1 February.

The Danish forward scored 10 goals in 58 Barcelona appearances during his time at Camp Nou, while he netted just nine times in 40 games for Middlesbrough in a failed spell at the Riverside Stadium.

Man Utd are currently eighth in the Premier League table, while Chelsea are ninth.