Barcelona's need for attacking reinforcements could be fulfilled before their next match.
After being granted permission to bring in a forward outside of the January transfer window, Barcelona are close to securing the services of Danish forward Martin Braithwaite from Leganes, according to Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden of ESPN FC.
The Blaugrana reportedly hope to complete the deal by Wednesday in order for Braithwaite to be available for Saturday's tilt against Eibar.
It's understood that Barca will trigger the €18-million release clause in Braithwaite's contract despite Leganes' unwillingness to negotiate the 28-year-old's departure.
Leganes currently sit in the relegation zone and have previously resisted Barcelona's attempts to bring Braithwaite to the Camp Nou, Llorens and Marsden report.
It's understood Braithwaite has already agreed to terms with the Catalan club and Barcelona could turn to La Liga officials if Leganes remain unwilling to negotiate the forward's departure.
Despite having already sold forward Youssef En-Nesyri to Sevilla last month, Leganes reportedly will not be permitted to sign a replacement if Braithwaite's move to Barcelona is forced through.
Braithwaite has scored 13 goals in 41 appearances since joining Leganes in January 2019. The Danish international previously enjoyed spells at Toulouse, Middlesbrough, and Bordeaux before making the move to Spain.
La Liga allowed Barcelona to complete an emergency signing outside of the winter transfer window after winger Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.
