Forward imminent at Barcelona: Braithwaite preferred to Angel

Barcelona are finalising the signing of a new forward for Quique Setien. Two names made it to the final casting: Getafe's Angel Rodriguez and Leganes' Martin Braithwaite. Each one has people in their corner at the club and opinions have been divided, above all because of the costs involved and the possibility or re-selling. 

QUESTION OF HOURS 

That's the intention. The club know that they have no time to waste. Setien wants someone as soon as possible to freshen up his attack. The objective is to make an announcement on Tuesday and for the player to train later in the day. If that is not possible, they hope to have the new signing training on Wednesday morning. We will see. 

SETIEN WANTS BRAITHWAITE

First-team coach Setien has expressed his desire for Braithwaite. And he's been very clear. In fact, it was the coach who asked for a more versatile forward. In this sense, he's pushed for the Leganes man ahead of Angel, who is less versatile. Setien wants to have the Danish striker in the squad for Saturday's game against Eibar. 

There have been doubts, for sure. Braithwaite joined Leganes in January of 2019 and his performances impressed to the point that they made the deal permanent last summer, signing him from Middlesbrough for five million euros. His agents come from the same agency as Frenke de Jong and he has an 18 million euro release clause, a figure Barça believe is a lot for a player who may only play 14 games with the club. 

LEGANES WON'T NEGOTIATE 

No one is capable of predicting how much he will be worth in the summer if he does well for Barça and then shines at Euro 2020 for Denmark. That's what Barça hope will happen, but it's a question of faith. Leganes will not negotiate, though. Thet lost En-Nesyri in January to Sevilla and don't want to lose another as they fight relegation. If Barça want Braithwaite, they will have to pay the release clause. 

ANGEL WAS DONE

Getafe had assumed that their forward would move to Barça. On Saturday, president Angel Torres negotiated his exit with Barcelona. There was a pre-agreement of around six million euros, the same amount that Getafe must pay for Cucurella. He was signing a three-and-a-half-year deal. His age, re-sale value and Setien's insistence on Braithwaite have led to a change of plans, though.