Emergency Purchase Process Begins, Barcelona Opens Negotiations With Braithwaite's Agent

Martin Braithwaite (Twitter @martinbraith)

JAKARTA - Ali Dursun, agent of Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite, is believed to be in Barcelona. He is currently negotiating a move for the player to replace Ousmane Dembele.

Due to Dembele's long injury, Barcelona have been granted permission to make an emergency signing. Braithwaite is the player they are currently targeting.

News of Barca's interest in the Danish footballer was reported by Mundo Deportivo on Monday, before RAC1 broke news of the player's agent in the Catalan capital. Dursun had worked with the Blaugrana before, as he was also an agent of Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona have 15 days to sign a forward, but they want him to be quick to play in the weekend game against Eibar.

Leganes meanwhile, they will let the 28-year-old leave if his € 20 million release clause is paid.

If Braithwaite's options don't work out, Barcelona will turn their attention to Angel Rodriguez from Getafe. Los Azulones may even be willing to negotiate terms of a transfer for the striker who has a 10 million euro release clause.

Previously, Barcelona received the green light from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga to sign an emergency attacker this week. However, Barca were given certain conditions in the emergency recruitment.

New players recruited by Barca must play as a striker and may not be contracted to another club or under a La Liga club contract - which in turn will not be entitled to add replacements. The player will also only be allowed to play in La Liga.

Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati are the remaining strikers in Barcelona's main squad at this time. In January, Barca had already released Carles Perez and Abel Ruiz.