Martin Braithwaite reportedly has no interest in joining Serie A giants AS Roma this month and wishes to fight for his place at Barcelona.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Martin Braithwaite has no intention of leaving Barcelona in the January transfer window and will fight for his place in the second half of the season. The Danish forward, valued at €20 million by Barcelona, was a target for Serie A giants AS Roma.
Martin Braithwaite joined Barcelona from CD Leganes in February 2020 in a controversial move, as the Blaugrana exercised the option of making an emergency signing outside a transfer window. During his ongoing two-year stint with Barcelona, the 30-year-old forward has been a backup option and has chipped in with some important contributions.
Braithwaite has made 56 appearances for Barcelona, registering ten goals and five assists in the process. But the Danish international’s time at Camp Nou could end soon ahead of an impending squad overhaul in the summer. The Catalan giants are hoping to recoup €20 million from his sale, with AS Roma reportedly emerging as one of his suitors.
The interest from AS Roma comes in the wake of the decision to cancel Borja Mayoral’s loan deal ahead of time. The Spanish forward had joined the Serie A giants on a two-year contract in 2020 but had become surplus to requirements at Stadio Olimpico upon Jose Mourinho’s arrival last summer.
Mayoral returned to Real Madrid this week before immediately being transferred to Getafe, where he has reunited with Gonzalo Villar. With the 24-year-old no longer at the club, AS Roma will need to invest in a versatile forward who can complement Tammy Abraham while also competing with the English international.
Braithwaite had thus emerged as a viable target for the Giallorossi, with Barcelona also prepared to sell the 30-year-old to them. But the Serie A giants have been handed a major blow in pursuit of Braithwaite, who has no intention of leaving Barcelona in January.
The Danish forward is keen on fighting for his place in the second half of the campaign and will only depart Camp Nou in the summer transfer window. With West Ham United considering a summer move for him, Braithwaite will likely join the Premier League club or some other suitor, albeit only after the season ends.
