Martin Braithwaite is interested in becoming a majority shareholder of Espanyol, according to reports – just weeks after he activated the release clause in his contract at Los Pericos.
The 33-year-old Danish forward, who played a key role in Espanyol's promotion to La Liga last season, scoring 22 goals in 39 games, walked away from the RCDE Stadium on July 15.
In his own words, Braithwaite was 'disrespected' when the club presented him with an unacceptable contract offer.
After earning promotion to Spain's top flight, he said: "A year ago the club offered me a renewal, but it was disrespectful. Let's see if they want me to stay here because the offer I received a year ago shows that they don't trust me,"
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Braithwaite's relationship with Espanyol’s hierarchy was also strained, according to Spanish publication MARCA, who claim the former Barcelona striker is ready to make a somewhat unexpected business move.
The report claims Braithwaite 'wants to get rid of the current owners' at Espanyol, who did not let him leave last summer in search of a club in the top division.
It was a decision that 'ended up costing him the chance' to go to Euro 2024 after Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark's then-coach, told him that playing in the second tier would decrease his chances of being included.
The situation has 'stuck' with Braithwaite, according to MARCA, who suggest he is now 'waiting for the numbers to come together to become the owner of the club.'
Shortly after terminating his Espanyol contract that would have expired in 2025, Braithwaite joined Brazilian side Gremio on a two-year deal.
The experienced forward, who has played for Toulouse, Middlesbrough and Leganses during a 15-year playing career, is said to have a net worth of £216 million thanks to a number of business ventures.
Back in 2017, Braithwaite is said to have invested £617,000 in a real estate business. He partnered with his uncle, Philip Michael, and in its first year, it grew to be worth £7.2 million.
In the space of six years, they had around 1,500 apartments. In fact, the business is said to be worth somewhere in the region of £180 million, according to The Sun.
"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," Braithwaite told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"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."
Back in 2020, Forbes claimed the former Barca striker made a significant amount from various investments and was only behind then-captain Lionel Messi when it came to overall earnings.
Braithwaite also owns clothing business 'Trente' with his wife Anne-Laure Louis – a French entrepreneur, journalist and TV personality – as well as a Barcelona-based restaurant called 'Gave'.
Topics: Martin Braithwaite, Espanyol, La Liga, Spain, Denmark, Euro 2024, Barcelona, Middlesbrough
Jack Kenmare