Martin Braithwaite now wants Premier League after near-scandal as Everton chase striker
Martin Braithwaite appears determined to return to the Premier League amid interest from Everton, according to Estadio Deportivo.
The Spanish outlet reported via their website on 16 July that the ex-Middlesbrough striker had attended the preseason medical tests at Espanyol a day earlier before announcing he was leaving just hours later and triggering his own release.
Had he not done so the 33-year-old’s exit clause would have reportedly risen to $15million [£11.57m] but he is now a free agent and the manner of his exit is seen as close to a scandal.
AS previously reported on 3 July that the sought-after striker was wanted by all of Everton, Southampton and Leicester in the Premier League, as well as Spanish duo Valencia and Getafe and Greek champions PAOK.
Everton target potential Dominic Calvert-Lewin replacement
Denmark international Braithwaite may be well into his 30s already but after firing Espanyol back into the top flight with 22 goals in the second tier he looks to still have something left.
The Spanish second tier is not the Premier League but he also recorded double-figures in La Liga a year ago in a team which was relegated.
As an affordable, and available, option he could be a strong signing for Kevin Thelwell as he looks to guard against the likely departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The Everton number nine has rejected the offer of a new contract [TEAMtalk, 9 July] and will probably have to be sold after entering the final 12 months of his current deal.
Chelsea’s Armando Broja continues to be linked as a prime target to replace the Englishman [The Athletic, 16 July] but is both likely to be expensive and coming off two rough years.
So while Braithwaite will surely not be a 20-goal regular starter at Goodison Park if he arrives the former Barcelona man could prove to be a valuable addition to the squad, potentially alongside the Albanian international and current Toffee Beto.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports journalist has shared whether a world-class ex-Toffee is returning this summer.
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