Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, as manager Erik ten Hag puts plans in place to reinforce his forward line during the summer transfer window.
Erik ten Hag knows the Dutch striker inside out having worked with him in the past and handed him his debut at Ajax in 2020. The Dutch tactician remains confident that he will stay as the Red Devils boss and wants to bring his former protégé to Old Trafford to bolster his attack.
According to The Daily Mirror, Manchester United will continue to scout Ajax’s Brian Brobbey as a potential striker to replace Anthony Martial, who is expected to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Brobbey, 21, left Ajax for RB Leipzig in a free transfer in 2021, only to return to the Dutch giants on loan before completing a permanent transfer back to Amsterdam. The one-cap Netherlands international bagged 14 goals across all competitions last season and has eight goals and four assists in 15 Eredivisie games so far this term.
However, Man United could face competition from Arsenal as they are also in the market for a striker and have monitored Brobbey too, the report adds.
Brian Brobbey to Manchester United—Good option?
Ten Hag wants to bring in a couple of new players in this transfer window as he looks to improve on what has been an inconsistent season so far, although these will likely be restricted to loan moves. A striker is the Man United boss’ priority now but the club are limited by FFP regulations to only bring one in on loan, thus, ruling out a move for Brian Brobbey.
While Man United’s new investors INEOS will make the final decisions on recruitment now, Brobbey will continue to be monitored for the remainder of the season. Ten Hag is a fan of the player and wants to be reunited at Old Trafford, although the club’s new recruitment team will give him striker options for consideration when the time comes to make a new signing.
Anthony Martial is expected to leave the club in the summer window, leaving Ten Hag with just one pure No.9 in Rasmus Hojlund. The Frenchman’s exit should free up space in the squad for a striker addition and Brobbey could be that player.
Since returning to Ajax, Brobbey has made 34 goal contributions in all competitions. Out of those, 16 have come in the current season from 24 games. The Dutchman had a good time under Ten Hag, scoring seven goals in 12 league games and helping Ajax win their last Eredivisie title in 2022.
While he is yet to become a potent goalscorer, the 21-year-old has the raw attributes that would suit Ten Hag’s style of play at Man United. Brobbey is fast, agile, can link up play and has a tireless work ethic whilst being strong in the air. The Ajax star could be viewed as a potential replacement for Martial and an ideal competitor for Hojlund at Old Trafford, but Man United should not overpay for him.
If Ajax demand more than €35m for Brobbey in the summer, the Red Devils should walk away and consider other striker options.