Manchester United and Chelsea are currently engaged in negotiations with Espanyol for the potential acquisition of Danish international player Martin Braithwaite.
The clubs aim to secure a deal at a significantly lower sum than Braithwaite’s €7 million (£5.9 million) buyout clause.
The talks revolve around a possible move before the January transfer window closes, with both Premier League teams facing challenges in finding a temporary replacement for an injured striker.
Sources in Spain report that if Espanyol achieves promotion back to La Liga, Braithwaite might be allowed to leave on a free transfer during the summer.
Meanwhile, his release clause could decrease to €600,000 (£511,000) if Espanyol remains in the Segunda Division.
Despite ongoing negotiations, neither Manchester United nor Chelsea has successfully secured a substitute for their injured striker as the transfer window deadline approaches.
Karim Benzema’s potential departure from his Saudi Pro League team, Al-Ittihad, has been mentioned, but both English clubs have reportedly declined the opportunity to pursue the French striker.
The urgency to find a suitable replacement is heightened by the looming transfer window deadline, which closes at 11 p.m. on Thursday.
Martin Braithwaite, a forward currently playing for Espanyol, is the player in focus for both Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Danish striker, who earned 69 caps for Denmark throughout his career, has become a target due to his profile and potential availability.
Braithwaite had previously joined Barcelona in a high-profile €18 million (£15 million) emergency transfer in February 2020.
However, his tenure at Camp Nou proved unsuccessful, leading to his release on a free transfer just 19 months later.
In September 2022, Braithwaite made a move to Espanyol, featuring in 31 league games and scoring ten goals.
Despite his individual efforts, Espanyol couldn’t avoid relegation from La Liga.
The current negotiations between the player’s current club and the Premier League giants add a layer of complexity to the January transfer window, where both Manchester United and Chelsea are eager to bolster their attacking options.
The pursuit of Braithwaite as a potential solution to their striking woes underscores the competitive nature of the transfer market, with clubs navigating financial constraints and player availability to strengthen their squads.
As the deadline approaches, the outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the dynamics of both Manchester United and Chelsea’s attacking forces for the remainder of the season.