It reads: ‘He will probably succeed in that [leaving] this summer, because even though Espanyol had a contract with Braithwaite on paper for one more year, he – as Tipsbladet could previously reveal – had a clause in his agreement so that he could leave Espanyol free of charge until 15 July.
‘It has now become Monday 15 July and Martin Braithwaite has decided to make use of the clause. Espanyol confirms this on the club’s website.
This means that Martin Braithwaite is completely free on the market.
‘And he is not without options. Earlier this month, Tipsbladet could reveal that Braithwaite is in dialogue with Premier League clubs Leicester, Southampton and Everton.’
The striker would cost Everton nothing and is seemingly desperate to leave his current club this summer.
How good really is Martin Braithwaite?
Whilst most will remember Braithwaite as the forward who tried to force his way out of Middlesbrough, and in turn earned himself a move to Barcelona, his recent switch to Espanyol has truly kickstarted his career again.
After all, it has been years since he hit such goalscoring form, with Toulouse arguably the last time where he stood out for a club.
And yet, with 22 goals in La Liga 2 last season, resulting in his side’s promotion back to the Spanish top flight, there is no better time to recruit the 33-year-old.
He is no long-term option, but at the very least he could provide an ample replacement for Calvert-Lewin should he depart Goodison Park, at least for one year.
Martin Braithwaite of RCD Espanyol is in action during the Spanish La Liga Hipermotion football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Oviedo at Stage…
A tricky, clinical speedster, if the terms of the contract are small and agreeable, then it’s worth a punt.