The Blaugrana have finally signed Dembele’s replacement.
And he comes from Leganes.
Barcelona have completed the emergency transfer signing of Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite after activating his €18 million release clause. The Denmark international has netted six goals and provided one assist for struggling Lega across 24 La Liga appearances this campaign.
Braithwaite has penned a four-and-a-half year contract at the club which will contain a €300m release clause, as per Barca’s official site. The Blaugrana found out on Monday that they are allowed by La Liga to sign a contracted player from another Spanish club this month following a long-term injury for Ousmane Dembele, who will not feature again this campaign.
🔵🔴 @MartinBraith, the newest Barça player!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2020
👋 Welcome! pic.twitter.com/nycwVPP3hb
This ruling has provoked some controversy, as Lega are now powerless to stop Braithwaite leaving – due to his release clause being activated – but are unable to sign a replacement themselves. That followed on from a similar season-ending injury to main striker Luis Suarez, while Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez were both sold by the Catalan giants last month.
Leganes have already lost star striker Youssef En-Nesyri last month, when Sevilla signed him in a €20m deal. Leganes failed in an appeal to the Spanish FA to be able to sign a player to replace Braithwaite this month.
