Barcelona striker expected to leave on a one-year loan deal | OneFootball

Speaking on the Siempre Positivo Podcast, ESPN journalist Samuel Marsden has claimed that Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite is expected to leave the club on a season-long loan deal this summer.

Braithwaite arrived at Barcelona in February 2020 as an emergency signing from Leganes. While his signing was met with much detraction early on, the Dane eventually won over the fans with his work ethic and commitment.

The former Middlesbrough forward started the current season on a strong note, before an injury ruled him out until the turn of the year. However, the managerial change and the signings of Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang meant he has hardly played since.

Indeed, Braithwaite has featured just twice under Xavi Hernandez so far. And with Barcelona set to sign Robert Lewandowski and even Raphinha, potentially, his prospects of playing regularly will continue to get bleaker.

So, an exit at the end of the season is very much a possibility. And while a sale would have been beneficial for Barcelona due to their financial situation, Samuel Marsden is claiming that Braithwaite could leave the Catalan giants on a loan deal instead.

A one-year loan deal would not be the worst idea, as long as Barça do not have to bear the Danish international’s wages. There seems to be plenty of interest in his services as well, with Celta Vigo and Valencia believed to be keen on taking him on loan.

It remains to be seen if either of those clubs come forward to try and sign Braithwaite once the summer transfer window opens for business. But as things stand, the Dane seems set to depart Camp Nou.