"My guy about to pull a Bruce Wayne" - Fans react as ex-Barcelona star reportedly wants to buy Espanyol after dispute with current owners
In a dramatic turn of events, former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, who left Espanyol as a free agent a few weeks ago following a fallout with the board and management, has expressed interest in becoming the largest shareholder of Los Pericos.
After his surprise signing to FC Barcelona outside the transfer window in 2020, the Danish international was forced to warm the benches on most occasions. Thus, Braithwaite terminated his contract with the Blaugranas and signed a three-year contract with Espanyol as a free agent.
Over his two seasons at Espanyol, one of which was in the second division, the 33-year-old striker scored 31 goals in 67 appearances, additionally helping the club earn promotion to La Liga. But ultimately his dissatisfaction with his treatment at Espanyol led him to part ways with the club and consider the opportunity to buy out the club, sparking a wave of reactions from fans.
The comments on Sports Bible's Instagram post, reporting the news, likened Martin Braithwaite to fictional billionaire Bruce Wayne, the man behind Batman's mask. One fan humorously remarked:
"Batman Bought the Bank, Braithwaite bought the Club."
According to Marca (via Sport Bible), Braithwaite is one of the richest footballers in the world according to Forbes. His entrepreneurial ventures include a successful real estate company in the United States, a restaurant in Spain, and a clothing line.
Martin Braithwaite took digs at FC Barcelona after leaving the club: "Xavi didn't believe in my abilities, so I had to leave"
Martin Braithwaite has never shied away from addressing conflicted matters in public, quite like he did after he departed from FC Barcelona. Back in 2020, the Danish striker was signed by the Catalan club from Leganes outside the transfer window after an injury to Ousmane Dembele that ruled the Frenchman out for six months.
The emergency signing made the headlines due to its controversial nature, which left Leganes without their first-choice striker and incapable of making any further signings. Although initially he was given a healthy run-in at Barcelona, after Xavi came on board, the former Middlesborough forward barely saw any playing time.
After terminating his contract with Barcelona in September 2022, Braithwaite told Danish media outlet Ekstra Bladet (via Daily Mirror):
"Did I take it as bullying, I actually don't know. But I think it's important that you always think about other people's mental health. That's the way it is. I know how things work in this world. Unfortunately, football is also a business."
"In many ways, I can only smile a little at all the things that have taken place behind the scenes. I think I have disproved many critics. I was the top scorer last season before I got injured. But then there was a change of coach, he wanted something else, and that is part of football life."
"Xavi didn't believe in my abilities, so I had to leave. I had known for a long time that the coach did not believe in me and that I had to move on from Barcelona."
But now with his eyes set on a new chapter with Brazilian club Gremio and his financial takeover of Espanyol, the Dane has left the disappointment of his Barcelona days well behind him.