Manchester United have entered the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey, report BILD.
After handing Brobbey his debut at Ajax, Brobbey left over a contract dispute, before Ajax re-signed the 20-year-old on loan this past season.
Brobbey helped fire Ajax to the title, scoring seven goals in 11 games, of which only four came as a starter. These included three in the last four games of the season, including a winner in a title-swinging 1-0 victory.
In his short spell back on loan at the club, Brobbey averaged a better goals per minute rate than Sebastien Haller did, ESPN Netherlands report, which suggests Ajax already have a ready made replacement. Except, they have not closed the deal yet.
Erik ten Hag made clear he thought Ajax should re-sign Brobbey, quoted by De Telegraaf in April: “We are going to work on that, because we really want to keep him.”
Ten Hag rated Brobbey so highly that he even started him in the KNVB Cup Final ahead of top goalscorer Haller.
Dutch football pundit Kenneth Perez told ESPN: “Ajax has become better and so has Brobbey. He has done a fantastic job.”
Ajax have so far been unable to close a deal with RB Leipzig, even though the German side are open to a sale.
Now United are reportedly keen on stealing in, with Ten Hag ready to be a little selfish, at the risk of upsetting his former club.
There’s a possibility this is just a game, to force Ajax into striking a deal to relent over Lisandro Martinez and or Antony, if United back off Brobbey. If United want them all, it is going to be very difficult, because Ajax have planned their summer around being able to re-sign the loanee to lead the line next season.
It’s easy to see why Ten Hag is so keen on Brobbey, the youngster is a physically mature player who can hold up play and won’t have any trouble adapting to the Premier League. The manager already knows he can work with him.
BILD report Ten Hag and Brobbey have spoken on the phone, and suggests Brobbey is open to making the move.
Whether Cristiano Ronaldo leaves or not, signing Brobbey would be a smart investment. He is the type of young player who Ten Hag could mould into a star.
Culled rom unitedinfocus.com
