Erik ten Hag wanted to bring Brian Brobbey to Man United during the summer transfer window.
Eventually, Manchester United’s summer transfer window turned into an extremely positive one. The signings needed came later than anticipated, though the squad is in a far better place now than it was a couple of months ago.
You get the feeling that a perfectionist like Erik ten Hag still wasn’t 100% happy with what unfolded, though.
Personally, another attacker wouldn’t have gone amiss, with a move for Brian Brobbey talked up at one stage over the summer.
Ten Hag wanted to make the Dutch striker United’s third signing from Ajax during the window, though the Eredivisie club understandably wanted to shut those talks down at the source.
It’s Fabrizio Romano with the claim, via his Caught Offside substack. Thanks to The Sun for relaying the information.
Apparently, United to bring the 20-year-old ‘great talent’ to the club this summer, though The Sun state that the deal never reached ‘concrete negotiations’ as Ajax didn’t want to lose another player to the Old Trafford club.
Speaking out about the situation, Romano said:
“Brian Brobbey has opened up about an approach from Ten Hag, and he’s made it clear in an interview with ESPN that he would love to play for United, but what really went on with these talks?
“There was only one approach between Ten Hag and Brobbey but the player was already blocked by Ajax, it was never a concrete negotiation.
“As for the future, that will depend on Brobbey’s performances at Ajax, he needs to be regular and consistent.
“I think he’s a great talent but he has to prove his skills with a top-level season.”
You get the impression that any move for Brobbey was similar to that of Benjamin Sesko; a deal with the future firmly in mind.
Brobbey is someone who is still a little rough around the edges. Perhaps a move to United at this stage was coming a year or two early. Maybe it makes sense in the long run for Brobbey to continue to develop over in the Eredivisie – although the Dutchman will likely cost more by way of a transfer fee at that point.
This isn’t a move I see United re-visiting in the mid-season window, either. Rather, it’s one for next summer.
With the way Cristiano Ronaldo’s performing at the moment, perhaps Ten Hag saw something we didn’t – wanting to bring in his eventual replacement early in order for Brobbey to sit in and learn behind the GOAT.
Do you think Brian Brobbey will eventually make the move to Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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