MARTIN BRAITHWAITE has reportedly made his first move to buy the European giant that “disrespected” him.
The Danish striker starred for Espanyol from 2022 until leaving the LaLiga outfit earlier this year.
Braithwaite, 33, wanted to leave the club in order to play top-flight football.
However, Espanyol turned down the move and instead offered him a new contract.
The former Middlesborough star felt the offer was derisory.
He then paid off his own release clause in order to sign for Brazilian side Gremio.
The striker has since been rumoured to be interested in purchasing the LaLiga side.
He was in the stands during the team’s draw against Valencia on Wednesday night.
Reports have now claimed that he has contracted the services of a Spanish legal firm to oversee the negotiations.
It is suggested that the firm is evaluating the investment for Braithwaite.
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It has also been reported that he is looking for a partner to invest in the club with him.
Braithwaite is claimed to have a net worth of £250million due to his property empire.
He still owns a house in Barcelona that he acquired during his spell with the Catalan side.
Back in 2017, Braithwaite invested £617,000 with his brother Philip Michael into NYCE Companies in the US.
In its first year, it grew to be worth a stunning £7.2million. Now it’s said to be worth somewhere in the region of £180million.
He has also invested in the food and clothing industries alongside his gorgeous wife, Anne-Laure.
All this could make purchasing Espanyol possible, especially with the club’s current financial issues.
The club’s chairman Chen Yansheng is believed to be considering selling up with fans protesting the ownership.
