Barcelona have left football fans stunned after announcing the signing of former Middlesbrough forward Martin Braithwaite.
The Catalan giants have completed the controversial emergency signing of the 28-year-old Danish forward, with Barcelona announcing that Braithwaite has signed from Leganes for a fee of around £15million.
That is despite the January transfer window closing just under three weeks ago.
Barcelona were given permission by La Liga to make a signing outside of the transfer window after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months through injury, with league rules allowing clubs to apply to make a new signing if a player is ruled out for more than five months.
But the signing of the former Middlesbrough man has got fans talking on social media, with Barcelona having been linked with Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.
A move for the Gunners' top scorer failed to materialise in January, but Barcelona have now signed Braithwaite from La Liga rivals Leganes, who currently sit second from bottom in the relegation zone.
Here's what some fans have been saying about the deal, including Arsenal and Chelsea supporters.
Braithwaite has scored ten goals in 32 appearances for club and country this season, with six goals in La Liga for Leganes, and two strikes in the Copa Del Rey.
During his time at Middlesbrough between 2017 and 2019, he scored nine goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for the Teesside club.
Braithwaite's contract at Barcelona will run until the end of June 2024.
