The new Manchester United manager has contacted his former striker Brian Brobbey in order to persuade him to join his side at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils will face stiff competition for his signature.
After speaking with incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag over the phone, RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey has ‘packed his baggage’ at the club.
United are looking to bolster their attacking options after learning that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford after only one season, while Edinson Cavani was among a slew of departures this summer as United reduced their first-team roster.
Brobbey is close to Ten Hag, who gave him his professional debut and brought him back to the Amsterdam club on loan last season. Before returning to parent club RB Leipzig this summer, the 20-year-old forward scored seven goals in 13 appearances for Ajax.
United’s top attacking target is reported to be Ajax forward Antony, who is one of Ten Hag’s top transfer targets, with the manager eager to reunite with the 22-year-old.
The Brazilian has requested that the Dutch giants consider allowing him to join Manchester United this summer in order to reconcile with his former coach. However, his £67.5 million asking price may be prohibitive in any sale.
This has created an opportunity for Brobbey, who is available for as little as £12.8 million (€15 million). The 20-year-old had a rough time at the German club, where he joined in 2021 but only made 14 first-team appearances, none of which he scored.
Ajax are the favorites to recruit the striker on a permanent basis this summer, but a move to Old Trafford is not out of the question. When asked to comment on Ten Hag’s employment at Old Trafford earlier this year, Brobbey remarked, “I’m extremely glad for him – if he takes me to Manchester in two years!”
What is known is that Brobbey’s departure from RB Leipzig is imminent, with Bild and Sky in Germany reporting that he has ‘packed his suitcases’ in preparation for a move. Ajax is still in the driving seat, but Manchester City is an alternative for the player, whose only goal is to leave the Bundesliga club.
Brobbey is claimed to have been dissatisfied since joining the German club and quickly decided that he wanted out, hence his loan back to Ajax last season and want to make a permanent move this summer, either to his former club or to rejoin with his old coach.
United have only completed one signing in the summer transfer window, bringing in Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia. The club, on the other hand, is close to signing free agent Christian Eriksen, who has a three-year verbal agreement with the Red Devils.
Eriksen will be joining United under Ten Hag, with whom he has a close friendship. The Danish star never played under the manager at Ajax, but he was brought back last year to train with the group in an effort to help him recover full health after leaving Inter Milan.
