Braithwaite handed brutal reception by fans as he refuses to leave Barcelona

Martin Braithwaite was booed by Barcelona supporters ahead of Sunday's friendly against Mexican side Pumas UNAM.

Barcelona are trying to release Braithwaite, 31, to free up space in their transfer budget. As per La Liga rules, the Spanish giants need to make sales before August 13 if they want to register their new signings - including Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.

Braithwaite still has two years left on his existing deal and is refusing to leave Barcelona this summer unless he's fully compensated. The Denmark international is unlikely to get the same salary at another club and is well within his rights to be paid in full.

Braithwaite didn't feature against UNAM but was introduced to the fans ahead of the game, along with the rest of the squad. Barcelona faced the Mexican outfit in the Joan Gamper Trophy, an annual exhibition match that takes place at the Camp Nou.

The forward looked awkward as he was greeted by boos, with some fans making hand gestures towards him. Braithwaite was comforted by teammate Memphis Depay, who is also on Barcelona's transfer list, following his frosty introduction.

It was also a humbling occasion for Depay, who was seen wearing the No.25 after being stripped of his No.9 jersey. That has been given to Lewandowski, who won't be able to play in La Liga this season if Barcelona don't sell some players in the coming weeks.

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Barcelona convincingly won the glorified friendly 6-0 thanks to goals from Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong. Pedri also bagged a brace. Their first La Liga game is against Rayo Vallecano at home on Saturday.

Braithwaite was a surprise signing when he joined Barcelona from Leganes in February 2020, outside of the transfer window. The forward was best known in England for his ill-fated spell at Middlesbrough scoring just eight goals in 36 Championship appearances.

He's struggled to make much of an impression at the Camp Nou, finding the net just five times in La Liga since. As well as Kounde and Lewandowski, Barcelona have signed Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Raphinha this summer.

President Joan Laporta is trying to get several players to either leave or take a pay cut, including Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong. "We are doing everything possible to register the signings," Laporta told reporters. "We have to do it before August 13."

Gary Neville has accused Barcelona of bullying players. He was referencing De Jong's situation when he made the claim, with Barcelona reportedly trying to get the Netherlands international to forget about £17million in deferred wages.

"De Jong should consider legal action v Barcelona and all players should be behind him!" tweeted the Man Utd legend. "A club spending fortunes on new players whilst not paying the ones they have under contract their full money is immoral and a breach. FIFPRO should be all over bullying like this and stop it."