Barcelona transfer news

DENMARK striker Martin Braithwaite is now the RICHEST player in Barcelona’s squad following Lionel Messi’s departure, according to reports.The 30-year-old has a property empire in the US, believed to be worth £181MILLION.
Martin Braithwaite is believed to be Barcelona’s richest player after Lionel Messi’s exitCredit: AFP
The 30-year-old, who is married to journalist Anne-Laure Braithwaite, owns a property empireCredit: INSTAGRAM / @annelaurebraithwaite
According to Forbes via Marca, Braithwaite’s company is worth $250m – around £181m.
The Barcelona star is believed to have invested around £617,000 into the business with his uncle, Philip Michael, in 2017.
NYCE Companies is now reportedly 25 times bigger than it was four years ago, with Braithwaite and Michael owning 1,500 apartments.
And the pair are said to have another 500 properties in development around Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Speaking to Danish website BT earlier this month, Michael said: “It started with our family having been in the real estate business for a long time.
“Here you will find that one of the ways you can build a fortune and secure your future financially is by investing in real estate. And that’s what I’ve been doing with my dad and Martin since I came over here.
“Martin’s role is very much about how we do in terms of strategy and vision in the long run.
“He is involved, but not so involved that it distracts him from football.”

Braithwaite is married to French journalist Anne-Laure Braithwaite after spending four years at Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
The couple have two kids and the Barcelona star is stepfather to another two from his wife’s previous relationship.
Braithwaite’s reported wealth makes him the richest player in Barca’s squad – despite earning the joint 14th-highest wage, said to be £85,000-a-week.
Messi does have more cash than the Denmark international – believed to be worth $400m (around £289m) – but is now a free agent after his contract expired.
The 34-year-old is yet to agree a new deal with the Spanish giants, who reportedly need to cut their costs to operate under a salary cap.

New Barcelona signing Memphis Depay is understood to have accepted a 30 per cent pay cut to appease the club’s worrying financial state.
Although Braithwaite’s bank balance is healthy, his club form is worrying.
The former Middlesbrough striker has scored just THREE goals in 40 LaLiga games since his controversial move in February 2020.
Barcelona were allowed to buy Braithwaite outside of the transfer window as an ’emergency signing’ – but his former side Leganes were not allowed to replace him and were subsequently relegated by just a point.
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JOAN LAPORTA claims contract talks are ‘going well’ with Lionel Messi – despite Barcelona’s wage woes.The legendary Argentine forward, 33, is officially a free agent after his Nou Camp deal expired last week.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims contract talks with Lionel Messi are ‘going well’Credit: Getty
Barcelona are eager to keep Messi for at least one more season.
But a financial crisis means they must first slash club wages before handing their talisman new terms.
New signings including Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay cannot be registered after Barcelona busted LaLiga’s wage cap.
And that has left the door open for ambitious clubs to approach Messi.
However, Barcelona president Laporta is adamant the icon will remain in Catalonia, claiming that talks over a new deal are making good progress.
Laporta told La Sexta: “Everything is going for Messi’s contract.”
Indeed, the outlet adds an agreement has already been reached.
And it’s just a matter of time until it’s made official.

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However, should Messi get cold feet or Barca find themselves unable to afford a new deal, there is one concrete option open.
Ambitious Egyptian side Pharco FC have declared they will seek talks with Messi over an incredible free transfer.
And they hope to lure him by signing former teammate Dani Alves, who will first represent Brazil at the Tokyo Olympics.
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SERGIO BUSQUETS is reportedly ‘tempted’ by a move to the MLS.But the veteran midfielder plans on staying at Barcelona this summer.
Sergio Busquets will stay at Barcelona despite receiving offers from the MLSCredit: Reuters
Fabrizio Romano claims various American sides have made offers to sign Busquets, 32, when his Euros adventure with Spain ends.
It was reported last month that Busquets was one of 18 players made available for transfer by Barcelona.
It is no secret the Catalans are heavily in debt and desperate to cut costs.
And that has prompted a number of MLS clubs to make bids for Busquets.
The deep-lying playmaker is said to be excited about the offers from the other side of the Atlantic.
But Busquets is instead eager to remain at Barcelona for one more season.
MLS clubs are understood to have accepted his position.
But they are already preparing contracts to land Busquets in 2022.

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The legendary midfielder has been at Barcelona his entire career, making his. senior debut in 2008 under Pep Guardiola.
Busquets has gone on to play 629 times for the Catalans, winning numerous trophies in the process.
His cabinet is well stacked with winners’ medals, including eight LaLiga titles, seven Spanish Cups and three Champions Leagues.
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