Barcelona have announced the signing of former Middlesbrough forward Martin Braithwaite until June 2024 from 19th-placed Leganes, who were keen to keep him as they attempt to avoid relegation from La Liga.

With the injuries to Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele La Liga have given Barcelona the go ahead to sign a striker outside of the transfer window. As part of the ruling, Barcelona were only able to sign a striker that is a free agent or currently playing in La Liga.

The highly contentious transfer means the Denmark international is joining the Catalan giants outside of the transfer window as they have triggered his €18m release clause, but Leganes are unable to prevent the deal nor sign a replacement. The Spanish FA have rejected an appeal from Leganes to sign a replacement for star striker.