Everton have Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Moise Kean and Richarlison at their disposal, but the Toffees are on the hunt for another centre-forward this summer. Everton have been linked with Napoli’s Hirving Lozano and Torino’s Andrea Belotti, but latest reports suggest the Merseysiders also have their eye on Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite.
The 28-year-old only joined Barcelona in February as an emergency signing after Ousmane Dembele underwent surgery on a hamstring injury, but the Catalans could be ready to part company just one month and three appearances later. Everton supporters don’t want to see the Danish international at Goodison Park, however, as they believe he isn’t good enough.
https://twitter.com/HayG137/status/1243846956151177220?s=20
Joke player at a Circus club. I'd steer clear.
— Morky Trading (@FMorky) March 28, 2020
Another Sandro
— Pure Toffee (@GuyanMatt) March 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/BenIsEngland/status/1243861295478210561?s=20
He’s 100% a west ham type signing, we’re very much past this kind of signing. I can’t see Brands or Ancelotti making a signing like this…
— WillzyyBlue (@WillzyyBlue) March 28, 2020
He’s probably another Sandro
— Luke Blanchard (@lukeblanchard17) March 28, 2020
Braithwaite’s time at Middlesbrough may have soured fans’ opinions, as the 28-year-old scored only nine goals in 40 games for Boro and embarked upon two separate loan moves away before departing the Riverside Stadium permanently.
Despite struggling in the North-East led, Braithwaite had more success while loaned out to Girondins Bordeaux (14 appearances, four goals, three assists) midway through his debut season and CD Leganes (21 appearances, five goals, seven assists) in the second half of his second season before turning the move to Spain permanent last summer.
The striker had a hand in seven goals in 24 games for Leganes this season before Barcelona came knocking, but his time at the Camp Nou could be over before it’s barely begun. The Catalans paid €18m for his signature last month and may let him go for a similar price.
Whether Everton are interested in battling West Ham United, Torino and Sassuolo to land Braithwaite remains to be seen, however. In the last two seasons, the Toffees permanently signed only two outfield players over the age of 26, as per Transfermarkt, so the Danish striker doesn’t fit the criteria of an Everton acquisition under Marcel Brands.