Man Utd still keen on £21.6m Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey ahead of January

Manchester United retain an interest in Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey ahead of the winter transfer window, according to Football Insider. The 24-year-old Netherlands international, who joined the Black Cats from Ajax for £21.6 million last year, is being monitored by the Red Devils.

  • Player: Brian Brobbey, 24-year-old striker
  • Current club: Sunderland
  • Interested club: Manchester United
  • Transfer fee: Brobbey joined Sunderland from Ajax for £21.6 million last year
  • Injury: Hamstring problem sustained on Netherlands duty, could be sidelined for several weeks
  • Potential outgoing: Joshua Zirkzee likely to be sold by Man Utd next year

Injury and availability

  • Brian Brobbey: Picked up a painful hamstring injury on Netherlands duty in the Nations League opener against Germany. Early indications suggest he could be sidelined for several weeks and may require plenty of training sessions to regain recent form.
  • Joshua Zirkzee: Recently called up to replace Brobbey in the Dutch squad. No injury reported.

Deal details

Brobbey signed for Sunderland from Ajax for £21.6 million last year. Manchester United were heavily linked with the Netherlands international when Erik ten Hag was manager in 2022, but Brobbey chose to return to Ajax from RB Leipzig after a short-term loan stint.

The Red Devils have continued to monitor his progress over the past four years and Football Insider claim they retain an interest in signing the 24-year-old. Sunderland have no plans to part ways with him in January, but may struggle to resist if a suitable offer comes in.

However, the hamstring injury could hamper his chances of a winter move. A mid-season transfer appears unlikely on the cards for any price, and United may continue to monitor him for the remainder of the campaign before weighing up a possible move during the summer transfer window.

Why Man Utd are tracking Brobbey and what happens next

Brian Brobbey has impressed in every Premier League game this season. He proved a menace for Arsenal with his supreme hold-up play, though the Gunners eventually won 2-0. Against Manchester City, the former Ajax man scored a fantastic hat-trick in a 5-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

That combination of physical presence and finishing is exactly what Manchester United have lacked. Joshua Zirkzee has been a fringe player and looks likely to be sold by United next year, leaving room for a new striker. Brobbey's ability to hold up play and bring others into the game would suit the Premier League, but his injury record is a concern.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have no plans to sell in January. They signed Brobbey for £21.6 million and would demand a significant profit. If he returns to form after his hamstring injury, a summer move is more plausible. United may wait, especially with Zirkzee's sale likely to fund any deal.

Talking points

  • Should Man Utd wait until summer for Brobbey, or push for a January deal despite his hamstring injury?
  • Is Brobbey's hat-trick against Man City a sign he can deliver at the highest level, or a one-off?
  • Sunderland may struggle to resist a suitable offer, but would selling their main striker in January be a mistake?
  • Joshua Zirkzee's likely exit could fund a move for Brobbey, but is he the right replacement?

What happens next

Brobbey will continue his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury and Sunderland will monitor his progress. Manchester United are expected to keep tracking him ahead of a possible summer move, with Zirkzee's future likely to be resolved next year.

Frequently asked questions

Is Man Utd signing Brian Brobbey in January?

A mid-season transfer appears unlikely on the cards for any price due to Brobbey's hamstring injury, though Man Utd retain an interest.

How much did Sunderland pay for Brian Brobbey?

Sunderland signed Brobbey from Ajax for £21.6 million last year.

Why is Brian Brobbey injured?

He picked up a painful hamstring injury on Netherlands duty in the Nations League opener against Germany and could be sidelined for several weeks.

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