Erik ten Hag is keeping tabs on Ajax striker Brian Brobbey as Manchester United begin to plan their summer transfer window.
The Old Trafford boss has worked with the Dutch striker in the past as he handed him his debut at Ajax in 2020. Ten Hag remains confident he will remain as United manager and is already starting to think about how he can bolster his attack in the summer.
The Dutchman also wants to bring in a forward in January but the club’s financial position means that will only be a loan. That would rule out a move for Brobbey, 21, in this window unless United can suddenly raise funds.
But they will continue to scout the Holland international as a potential striker to compete with Rasmus Hojlund. Anthony Martial is expected to leave this summer when his contract expires so United will need another front man.
Arsenal are also expected to be in the market for a striker as they desperately need a goalscorer and have cast an eye over Brobbey, too.
Brobbey came through the youth set up at Ajax and Ten Hag gave him his debut in 2020 before he went on to score six goals in his maiden season. But the Dutch striker left the club at the end of his campaign when his contract expired and he joined RB Leipzig.
After failing to score in 14 appearances for the German side, he returned to Ajax on loan in January 2022. Brobbey scored seven goals in 12 games back in Holland to help Ten Hag and Ajax win the Eredivisie title.
Ten Hag then departed for United but is understood to have enquired about signing Brobbey in his first summer at Old Trafford. The striker ended up returning to Ajax on a permanent deal after they triggered the option they had to sign him for around £16m.
Despite Ajax’s struggles since Ten Hag’s departure, he’s scored 24 goals in the last 18 months for the Dutch side.
United’s new investors INEOS will make the final decisions on recruitment now but Brobbey will continue to be monitored. Ten Hag still likes the player and wants to work with him again but he will be given options by the club’s new recruitment team when the time comes to make a new signing.