FORMER Middlesbrough striker Martin Braithwaite will go from playing under Tony Pulis to joining Barcelona as they close in on a shock move, according to reports.
The Catalan side have been given the green light to sign an emergency forward outside of the window following the six-month layoff to Ousmane Dembele.
Reports across Spain suggest they have found their man in Braithwaite who has a 15million release clause in his contract at Leganes.
Fans across England may recognise Braithwaite following his two-year spell on Teesside where he flattered to deceive when he signed for 9million in 2017.
He bagged five in 19 Championship appearances in his first season before being shipped out on loan to Bordeaux for the second half of the campaign.
The Denmark international then scored three in 17 league appearances under Pulis while also heading out on loan to Leganes where he eventually signed permanently.
His scoring record hasn’t got much better having bagged six in LaLiga this season.
But Barca’s scouting team obviously believe he can make an impact alongside Lionel Messi and Co. as they line up a three-and-a-half-year deal.
The LaLiga champions have been forced to move quickly in their pursuit of a forward having been given just 15 days to sign a replacement.
Barcelona are also without Luis Suarez –who underwent surgery last monthto fix a long-standing knee problem.
They currently sit one point behind Real Madrid in the title race and will meet their rivals on March 1.
