How Much Did Barcelona Pay for Braithwaite?

By Robert Palmer

Barcelona’s acquisition of Martin Braithwaite in February 2020 caused quite a stir in the football world. The Danish forward’s unexpected move from Leganes to one of the biggest clubs in the world left many wondering about the details, including how much Barcelona paid for him.

The Controversial Emergency Signing:

Injuries to key players such as Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele left Barcelona with a shortage of attacking options. As per La Liga regulations, clubs are allowed to make emergency signings outside the transfer window under specific circumstances. Barcelona took advantage of this rule and quickly signed Braithwaite from Leganes.

The Transfer Fee:

The exact transfer fee paid by Barcelona for Braithwaite was €18 million ($19 million USD). This amount raised eyebrows considering Braithwaite’s previous market value and his relatively limited experience at top-tier clubs.

Market Value vs Transfer Fee:

Martin Braithwaite’s market value before moving to Barcelona was estimated at approximately €10 million ($11 million USD). However, due to the unique circumstances surrounding this transfer, Barcelona had to pay an additional premium to Leganes to secure his services.

Release Clause:

Luis Suarez’s long-term injury meant that Barcelona needed a replacement who could hit the ground running. Leganes had included a release clause of €20 million ($21 million USD) in Braithwaite’s contract, which increased his market value significantly.

The Buyout Clause:

  • However, due to La Liga regulations, clubs can only sign players who have a release clause equal to or less than their budget for emergency signings.
  • Barcelona’s budget for emergency signings during the 2019-2020 season was €19 million ($20 million USD).
  • This meant that Braithwaite’s release clause of €20 million made him an eligible Target for Barcelona.

Controversy and Criticism:

The signing of Braithwaite by Barcelona drew criticism from several quarters. Many argued that this emergency transfer rule was unfair and gave an advantage to financially stronger clubs like Barcelona. It also left Leganes in a difficult position, as they were unable to sign a replacement due to the timing of the transfer.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Barcelona paid €18 million ($19 million USD) for Martin Braithwaite’s services. This amount exceeded his market value but was necessary due to Leganes’ release clause and Barcelona’s budget constraints for emergency signings. While controversial, this move highlights the unique rules and challenges faced by clubs in emergency transfer situations.