Manchester United may look to hijack Ajax's move for RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his attacking options amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
MEN Sport reported on Friday that United have altered their transfer plans due to Ronaldo's desire to leave Old Trafford and, though two more defensive signings are still on the agenda, a new forward has now been prioritised once negotiations for the prospective deals for Christian Eriksen and Frenkie de Jong have concluded.
It's now understood that Ten Hag has made contact with young forward Brobbey and is keen on a reunion with his fellow Dutchman to reinforce the attacking areas. The 20-year-old currently plays for RB Leipzig but is free to leave this summer after failing to settle in Germany.
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Brobbey is a product of the Ajax academy and was handed his senior debut by Ten Hag but turned down a new contract offer in Amsterdam to move to Leipzig on a free transfer in 2021. However, despite his potential, the striker struggled in Germany and failed to score in any of his 13 appearances.
The move failed to such an extent that just a few months later Brobbey returned to Ajax on loan for the rest of last season, where his seven goals in 11 league matches helped Ten Hag secure his final Eredivise title in charge of the club. That took his tally under Ten Hag to 13 goals and three assists in 32 matches.
Brobbey was expected to return to Ajax in a permanent move this summer and even admitted as much last month as he told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagbald: “I told [Leipzig] that I would prefer staying with Ajax." It's understood that the Dutch champions had reached an agreement with Brobbey but talks have hit a standstill after Ten Hag informed him of his interest in bringing him to Manchester.
Leipzig's initial asking price for the man they got on a free 12 months ago is understood to be around £17 million, though that may be relaxed in order to get rid of Brobbey's wages.
United were already in need of a new striker following Edinson Cavani's departure on a free but the need has been made even more pertinent with the revelation that Ronaldo wants to leave. The No.7 appeared to confirm he would be staying for another season after revealing his excitement to work with Ten Hag but has now U-turned due to frustrations with the club's lack of action in the transfer market and a 25 per cent pay cut enforced on players after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
United maintain that Ronaldo — who has a year left on his contract with a club-held option of a further 12 months — is not for sale.
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