Celtic reportedly could have signed Martin Braithwaite in 2013

By Connor Gordon

February 24, 2020

Celtic failed to sign new Barcelona attacker Martin Braithwaite in 2013.

The Danish international was looking for a way out of his country with Britain a target.

Neil Lennon‘s side were one of the sides reportedly linked with Braithwaite. [Sky Sports]

Instead, he joined French side Toulouse for 2million Euros, scoring 35 in 136 appearances. [DR]

Celtic didn’t sign Martin Braithwaite in 2013

Braithwaite was a hungry 22-year-old attacker when he wanted to leave his homeland.

Martin Braithwaite playing with Esbjerg. (Photo by Bjorn Lindgren/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

He was a youth international that transitioned into a full international with the senior squad.

Celtic were one team that were looking to bring Braithwaite to the Hoops.

A Sky Sports source said at the time: “Martin has been progressing very well over the past 12-months and he is now a full international.

“He knows of the interest in England and Scotland, and he is excited by that – but he is trying to stay focused and not get distracted.”

Toulouse’s Danish captain and forward Martin Braithwaite during his top spell with Toulouse. (Photo by REMY GABALDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sky believed that the Scottish team referred to was Celtic during Lennon’s first tenure.

It wasn’t to be as the Esbjerg man joined Ligue 1 side Toulouse before making an ill-fated move to Middlesbrough.

He was loaned back out to France with Bordeaux, forming a formidable partnership with Wissam Ben Yedder.

The duo were broken up with Braithwaite joining Leganes temporarily before making it permanent.

Braithwaite made 24 appearances this season before being snapped up by Barcelona on a one-off deal sanctioned by the injury hit giants.

Braithwaite was purchased for £15 million and has a buy out fee of £251 million.

The move may not have worked out for Celtic but will leaving fans thinking what could have been.