Martin Braithwaite is closing in on a Barcelona exit after passing his medical at rivals Espanyol

Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite is close to joining Espanyol after passing a medical but the Spanish club need to offload top earner Raul de Tomas on loan first. 

Several Premier League clubs including Everton and Aston Villa have considered the 27-year-old this summer with Fulham now the best placed. 

Espanyol had hoped to sell the former Real Madrid and Benfica forward who is their all-time most expensive signing costing 20m euros in 2020. However, they have accepted a loan deal as that is there best chance of getting him off the wage bill. 

Braithwaite’s move £16million to the Nou Camp in February 2020 came as a shock to many in the footballing world. 

Just one year prior to his transfer, Braithwaite had been playing for Middlesbrough in the Championship. 

Despite winning the Copa del Rey in 2021, Braithwaite has largely found himself on the fringes of the first-team squad at the Blaugrana. 

He made just five appearances in all competitions last season and was omitted from Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the US.

Despite winning the Copa del Rey in 2021 (above), Braithwaite has largely found himself on the fringes of the first-team squad at the Blaugrana

Braithwaite will need regular playing time if he is to feature in Kasper Hjulmand’s Denmark squad at the 2022 World Cup

Therefore, the LaLiga giants are eager to offload the 31-year-old amidst their ongoing financial difficulties. 

However, Braithwaite previously refused to leave the club unless he is fully compensated for the final two years of his contract at the Nou Camp. 

Sportsmail previously reported how the former Middlesbrough forward was offered what they refer to as a letter of freedom, essentially a break clause that would ensure the Dane could decide his fate.

However, Braithwaite is believed to have rejected this offer and demanded to be paid his full salary for the remainder of his deal should he be forced out of the club this summer. 

As a result, Barcelona have been waiting for a club to move for Braithwaite before the end of the transfer window before cancelling his contract.

Espanyol have registered an interest in signing the 31-year-old, but they need to offload top earner De Tomas (above) on loan first

Espanyol have registered an interest in signing the 31-year-old, but they need to offload top earner De Tomas on loan first.

De Tomas and Espanyol manager Diego Martinez have not seen eye-to-eye despite the fact he was the top scoring Spaniard in LaLiga last season with 17 goals.

As a result, De Tomas has missed several games for Espanyol this season – decreasing his pitch-time ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

Therefore, De Tomas could be interested in securing a deadline day transfer to be in with a chance of making Luis Enrique’s Spain squad. 

De Tomas on loan first is also looking to secure a place in the Spain team for the World Cup