Blow for Manchester United as Ajax complete the £16.5m capture of Brian Brobbey from RB Leipzig – after Erik ten Hag had called his former player in a bid to derail his return to the Dutch champions
- Brian Brobbey has returned to Ajax despite interest from Manchester United
- The Dutch striker, 20, has rejoined his former club after a season at RB Leipzig
- Erik ten Hag had contacted the player in an attempt to bring him to Old Trafford
Ajax have completed the signing of Manchester United target Brian Brobbey from RB Leipzig, inflicting another blow on Erik ten Hag‘s summer transfer plans.
Brobbey, who has joined Ajax for a fee that could rise to £16.5million, began his career at the Eredivisie club before breaking into the first team under the tutelage of now-United manager Ten Hag.
After demonstrating his massive potential in the Dutch capital, Brobbey was signed by RB Leipzig just a year ago, but he would fail to make an impact during his short time in the Bundesliga, before then-Ajax boss Ten Hag brought him back to the Johan Cruyff Arena on loan.
Brian Brobbey has returned to the Johan Cruyff arena after a successful loan spell last season
Erik ten Hag (right) tried to convince Brobbey to make the move to Man United
With seven goals from just four starts back in the Eredivisie, Brobbey began attracting attention across European football, not least from Ten Hag.
After arriving at Old Trafford in May, Ten Hag made it clear that he would like to diversify his attacking options, with The Times reporting that he contacted Brobbey directly in an attempt to bring the prospect to the Premier League.
Ultimately though Brobbey made it clear that he would like to return to the Eredivisie champions, with the striker telling Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad even before the deal was completed that he ‘would prefer staying with Ajax.’
Brobbey Scored 7 goals in 11 appearances on loan at Ajax from Leipzig last season
United’s failure to capture the young talent may cause some concern, as the club looks to bolster their forward line for the upcoming campaign.
With Edison Cavani having left the club on a free transfer, and star man Cristiano Ronaldo’s future now in serious doubt, it seems that that bringing in a striker will be a…