Brian Brobbey had successful spells under Erik ten Hag’s management at Ajax, initially during the 2020/21 season before a move to RB Leipzig and then on loan in 2021/22 after the German stint didn’t unfold as planned.
During the latter period, Brobbey thrived, scoring seven goals in 11 Eredivisie appearances following his return to Amsterdam in the winter transfer window.
In 2022, reports from 90min suggested Manchester United’s interest in the striker upon the expiration of his loan and return to RB Leipzig. It was revealed that Ten Hag had approached Brobbey to gauge his willingness to join Old Trafford.
In a recent interview with Der Telegraaf, Brobbey confirmed the approach from Ten Hag and Manchester United. Despite the allure of potentially higher earnings and significant financial benefits for his agent, Jose Fortes Rodriguez, Brobbey, and his team made a decisive choice – a permanent return to Ajax.
“Erik ten Hag called me and said that at United, my agent would get millions of euros and I could earn a multiple of my Ajax salary. But our decision was clear: we wanted to go to Ajax,” explained Brobbey. To facilitate the return, Rodriguez even waived a substantial percentage of the sell-on clause.
Opting against the prospect of playing for Manchester United, Brobbey committed to Ajax, signing a five-year deal at the Johan Cruyff Arena for an initial €16.35 million.
As Anthony Martial’s impending departure from Manchester United looms, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, reports from the Daily Mirror suggest that Brobbey is once again on the radar as a potential replacement.
The underperforming French forward’s expected exit opens up opportunities for Brobbey, who may find himself back in the spotlight as a candidate to bolster Manchester United’s attacking lineup.
The twists and turns in Brobbey’s career trajectory, including rejecting a move to Manchester United in favor of Ajax, add a layer of intrigue to his footballing journey, leaving fans and pundits curious about the impact he could make on the Premier League stage.
