‘Astonishing idea’ – Former Barcelona star Braithwaite’s bizarre release clause leaves fans impressed
MARTIN BRAITHWAITE looks set for a bargain summer transfer due to a bizarre clause in his contract.
The former Barcelona star has moved across the city and now plays for Espanyol.
RexMartin Braithwaite is reportedly attracting interest from several clubs[/caption]
Braithwaite, 32, is the top scorer in the Spanish second division this season with 11 goals.
Espanyol currently sit third in the table and are in the fight for an immediate promotion back to LaLiga.
However, an unusual detail in the striker’s contract means multiple clubs are keen on signing him this summer.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that he currently has a £6million release clause in his contract, which expires next summer.
But should Espanyol get promoted, he will be able to leave for free.
And if they remain in the second tier next season, a price of £600,000 will be enough to buy him.
Fans were left baffled by the strange clause, one said: “That makes absolutely no sense to me.”
Another added: “Astonishing idea.”
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More joked: “Please don’t let Manchester United see this.”
Braithwaite was at Barcelona for two-and-a-half years, scoring ten goals in 58 games.
The Danish international was released by the Catalan giants after he reportedly refused to have his contract mutually terminated, leading to claims he held Barca to “ransom”.
Braithwaite also played 40 times for Middlesbrough in his career.
Off the pitch, he is a successful businessman with a £216m empire.
Inside Braithwaite’s business empire
Martin Braithwaite made a huge amount of money by investing in a US property company.
He supposedly put £617,000 into a business in 2017 that builds affordable homes in historically black neighbourhoods in the States.
NYCE Companies is now reportedly 25 times bigger than it was five years ago, with Braithwaite and a business partner owning 1,500 apartments.
And the pair are said to have another 500 properties in development around Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Braithwaite has also invested in a clothing line and a high-end restaurant with entrepreneur wife Anne-Laure.
She also runs her own healthy meal delivery service.
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