According to Sport via Sport Witness, Everton are interested in Martin Braithwaite and could make a move for the Barcelona striker this summer.
The 28-year-old only joined the Catalans from Leganes in February, but his future at the Camp Nou is uncertain as the season has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Barcelona were given permission by La Liga to make a signing outside the transfer window after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months following surgery on a hamstring injury.
As per AS, Luis Suarez suffered a knee injury in January that ruled him out for four months while Dembele tore his hamstring and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Catalans were left with only 18 first-team players for the run-in, but they now have some time to welcome players back so Braithwaite’s services may no longer be needed.
Everton are looking to capitalise on the situation and may have to battle West Ham United, Torino and Sassuolo for his signature. Sport say Barcelona won’t rule out his sale, so long as they can make back the €18m (£16.2m) spent.
Braithwaite would be an intriguing acquisition, however, as he doesn’t fit the criteria of an Everton signing under Marcel Brands. The Toffees are looking to lower the average age of their squad and are targeting young talent with a view to develop them into first-team regulars. Braithwaite turns 29 in the coming months.
As per Transfermarkt, the Danish international does have a decent track record for goals, contributing 29 goals in 96 games for Esbjerg fB (2008 – 2013), 55 goals in 149 games for Toulouse (2013 – 2017), 11 goals in 40 games for Middlesbrough (2017 – 2019), seven goals in 14 games on loan for FC Girondins Bordeaux (2018) and 21 goals in 48 games for CD Leganes (2019 – 2020).
Time will tell.