Braithwaite didn’t even feature in the match
Martin Braithwaite was booed by Barcelona supporters at the Nou Camp, on Sunday, with the forward reportedly refusing to take a pay cut at the club.
The Catalan giants are currently unable to register a number of their new signings – including star striker Robert Lewandowski – unless they cut their huge wage bill this summer.
Xavi is said to be open to allowing several fringe players to depart, with Denmark international Braithwaite one of the players who is deemed surplus to requirements.
However, Braithwaite, who only joined the LaLiga giants from Leganes in 2020, is reportedly refusing to leave Barcelona unless he is fully compensated for the final two of years his contract.
The club’s fans are evidently annoyed by this and voiced their anger with the striker ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly match against Mexican side Pumas UNAM on Sunday.
Prior to kick-off, each member of the Barcelona squad was presented to the crowd, with Braithwaite booed by a large section of the home support when his name was announced.
Braithwaite has done nothing wrong, and yet this is the reception he gets…🤦♂️#Barca https://t.co/zzBO0k6PkD
— Danish Scout (@DanishScout_) August 8, 2022
Braithwaite offered ‘letter of freedom’
Memphis Depay could be seen giving the former Middlesbrough man a pat on the shoulder as he lined-up alongside the Netherlands international.
Braithwaite had a commendable reaction as he smiled, making his way over to the team, and looked up and around him as he lined up. He was not rising to the negative antics from a sizeable portion of the home crowd.
Braithwaite did not feature in the match as Barcelona secured a comfortable 6-0 win over Pumas UNAM, with Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Ousmane Dembélé, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong all getting on the scoresheet.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona have sent the forward a ‘letter of freedom’ – which, essentially, would allow him to leave the club for nothing this summer.
However, Braithwaite is said to have rejected this offer and had demanded to be paid his full salary for the remainder of his contract.
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