Martin Braithwaite is reportedly considering a bid to become Espanyol’s majority shareholder – just weeks after departing the club.
The ex-Barcelona striker bought himself out of his contract at the RCDE Stadium last month to bring an end to his two-year spell.
He helped fire Espanyol to an instant return to LaLiga last season through the Segunda Division play-offs, where he top scored in the second-tier with 18 goals.
But the Denmark international decided to embark on a new adventure outside of Europe to join Brazilian outfit Gremio after depositing his contract release clause with LaLiga.
Speaking after Espanyol’s promotion, he revealed he felt disrespected by the club’s hierarchy after they refused him to let him join a first division, which led to him being omitted from Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad.
He said: “A year ago the club made me a renewal offer, but it was disrespectful.
“Let’s see if they want me to stay here because the offer they made a year ago showed that they don’t believe in me.”
Braithwaite ultimately decided he didn’t want to continue his relationship with Espanyol – but it may not be the end of his association with the club.
That is because according to Marca, he is weighing up buying shares in the Parakeets to take a controlling stake in Espanyol.
It has been said that the ex-Middlesbrough forward is keen to get rid of owner Chen Yansheng – chairman of the Rastar Group – who is an unpopular figure amongst the club’s supporters with his side being relegated twice in three years.
The Spanish news outlet states that the player still hasn’t forgiven him for not sanctioning his exit last year.
Braithwaite is reported to boast a net worth of around £250million as a result of owning a real estate business in America.
A co-founder of NYCE Companies alongside his uncle Philip Michael, their booming business aims to provide affordable housing to the black community in New Jersey and Philadelphia.
Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2021, he said: “I always had this American side.
“And I think maybe that’s why my mindset is maybe more American: dreaming big, doing amazing things, writing goals down.
“In Denmark, we have an amazing system protecting the people.
“Everyone is good. No one needs anything. In America, it’s not really the same thing.”
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News Summary:
- Former Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite wants to buy ex-club weeks after departing following ‘disrespectful’ treatment
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