Barça open door for Braithwaite to leave ahead of 2022 World Cup
The Danish forward needs minutes if he wants to make the squad for the tournament
Martin Braithwaite joined Barcelona in February 2020 when the club paid his 18 million euro clause to Levante. He came after long-term injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez, signing a contract until 2024.
He was important for Ronald Koeman at the start of the season, but the Danish forward got injured and by the time he returned there was a new coach and new attackers.
Xavi Hernandez replaced Koeman in 2021 and Braithwaite, who missed September to January with an injury, saw the club sign Ferran Torres, Aubameyang and Adama Traore in January.
Before the transfer window, Xavi had a chat with Braithwaite in which he communicated he would not have many minutes and may want to consider a loan move.
The problem was he had been injured, ruining his chances of a move. Despite that, Xavi's plans have not changed. Braithwaite has played just 10 minutes in the league, against Osasuna, and another 12 in the Copa del Rey under the coach.
Barça hope to find a solution to satisfy all parties. They will make it easy for him to leave, aware that he has fans in the Premier League. Braithwaite and his agents know they will have to find a club to keep his career alive with the World Cup around the corner in Qatar.
Injuries have seen him drop out of the Denmark squad this month and he will have to play again to get back in before the tournament starts.
