---
title: "West Ham United: Martin Braithwaite has ‘preliminary agreement’ to join Hammers"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-martin-braithwaite-has-preliminary-agreement-to-join-hammers/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-11T18:10:24Z"
modified: "2021-08-11T18:10:24Z"
---

# West Ham United: Martin Braithwaite has ‘preliminary agreement’ to join Hammers

**According to [Sport](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/harry-kane-llave-desbloquear-salida-11980603), Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has a ‘preliminary agreement’ to join West Ham this summer – but there’s one issue holding up the move.**

### The Lowdown: Braithwaite on the way out…

The La Liga giants are in a financial crisis and have just had to let superstar Lionel Messi leave the club due to [issues registering his porposed new deal.](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/2207655/leo-messi-not-staying-at-fc-barcelona)

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368246″\]

Barcelona have been desperately trying to offload players in an attempt to [reduce their large wage bill](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/20/barcelona-in-desperate-push-to-offload-players-to-keep-lionel-messi) and Braithwaite is seen as one man who is surplus-to-requirements at the Camp Nou.

West Ham have been[heavily linked with Braithwaite](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/braithwaite-cerca-west-ham-11954496) for some time and Sport now bring an update on his situation.

### The Latest: Braithwaite has ‘preliminary agreement’ with West Ham…

The Spanish news source believes that the striker has a ‘preliminary agreement’ with West Ham and the operation for his transfer from Barcelona has ‘already’ been on track.

[West Ham latest gossip…](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-gossip/)

However, Braithwaite himself may have something to say about it, with this report claiming he is now eyeing a possible move to Tottenham to replace Harry Kane – even despite a ‘firm offer’ from West Ham.

It is believed that the Dane ‘prefers’ a move to north London over the Hammers and has asked for time to consider his future as a result.

### The Verdict: Blessing in disguise?

Amassing [93 career goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/martin-braithwaite/profil/spieler/95732), Braithwaite hasn’t enjoyed prolific form at club level for quite some time and bagged just two strikes in 11 La Liga starts last season ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/73494/History/Martin-Braithwaite)).

At 30-years-old, the striker also won’t bring much sell-on value in years to come and we believe West Ham could be about to dodge a bullet if Braithwaite gets his wish and secures a move to Spurs.

West Ham’s search for a striker has been long and arduous but there are arguably better options for David Moyes, namely Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who could become a target towards the end of this window ([ExWHUemployee](https://mobile.twitter.com/ExWHUemployee/status/1422906227588227078)).

He may not be much more prolific, but is far younger with room to develop into the type of player Moyes is looking for.

***In other news: Talks on: West Ham transfer twist emerges as GSB eye move for ‘very big’ player, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-hammers-re-enter-talks-for-kurt-zouma/)***