Dutch striker Brian Brobbey has confirmed Manchester United’s interest in signing him and explained why he chose a return to Ajax instead.
Brian Brobbey has taken a different route to realise his dream of playing for the Ajax senior squad. The Dutch striker has been a product of their youth system, although he never broke into Erik ten Hag’s main team during his time at the club.
Ajax allowed him to join RB Leipzig on a free transfer last summer, only to bring him back on loan in January. Brobbey was then a revelation under ten Hag, scoring seven goals in 11 appearances in the Eredivisie and helping them win the domestic title last season.
Ajax have since paid over £14 million to re-sign Brobbey from RB Leipzig, which resembles a significant profit for the German side. Before the Dutch giants brought him back, Manchester United were keen on signing Brobbey as Erik ten Hag wanted to bring him to Old Trafford.
Manchester United were in contact with the striker, with Brobbey revealing a text message from ten Hag asking about his availability. However, the prodigious attacker explains why he refused a potential deal to Old Trafford for a return to Ajax.
In his comments quoted by Goal.com, Brobbey confirmed that Erik ten Hag contacted him over a potential move to Manchester United but revealed his heart was set on a return to Ajax.
Brobbey said, “I absolutely wanted to come back to Ajax. Erik also wanted to work with me again; he texted me once to see if I was open to it. But I thanked him nicely and told him I wanted to return to Ajax. My friends are here; Ajax’s playing style, it just wasn’t finished yet.”
Manchester United are active in the summer transfer window, as they are expected to sign at least two new players before the deadline, with Ajax’s Antony their priority target. There are whispers about Cody Gakpo as well. The latter may materialise if the pursuit of Antony falls apart.
Reports also suggest Manchester United could be interested in goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. As for an outright striker, there are barely any names recently linked with a move, but the club can still spring up a surprise before deadline day.
