Who is Brian Brobbey? The Leipzig striker linked with Man Utd
Stuart Telford
- Updated: 8 Jul 2022 16:48 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Brian Brobbey, the former Ajax striker who is desperate to work with Erik ten Hag once again.
Brobbey broke through at Ajax in 2020 before securing a move to the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig the following year.
Whilst things didn't go to plan in Germany, he spent the second half of last season back on loan at Ajax under ten Hag, scoring an impressive seven goals in just 11 league games.
With Cristiano Ronaldo's future uncertain, Man Utd are on the lookout for a new striker and Brobbey could be their man.
What position does Brobbey play in?
Brobbey is a powerfully built striker who operates best on the shoulder of the last defender - where he can either try and outrun his marker or hold the ball up before a teammate can join him in the final third.
Brian Brobbey on Erik ten Hag earlier this year: "I am very happy for him and he really deserves it after everything he has done for Ajax. If only he brings me with him [to Manchester United] in two years. No, no... joking!" #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ZfNyYiJmyn
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) July 8, 2022
How good is Brobbey?
Certainly very promising. Brobbey hit 85 goals in 105 youth team games with Ajax before being promoted to their first team in the 2020/21 campaign, and three further goals in the Dutch top flight convinced Leipzig that those returns weren't just statistical noise.
Brobbey struggled to adapt over the German border but in his defence, his nine months at the Red Bull Arena took in four coaches in Julian Nagelsmann, Jesse Marsch, Achim Beierlorzer and Domenico Tedesco.
Back in his old stomping ground for the culmination of the 2021/22 Eridivisie campaign, Brobbey's seven league strikes, as well as an assist, came in at a rate of one goal-involvement every 50 minutes he played, making that Leipzig spell look like a blip.
On scoring a late winner against NEC Nijmegen in April, two days after Ten Hag left for United, Brobbey said:
"I'm very happy for him and he really deserves it after everything he has done for Ajax. If only he brings me with him in two years... no, no... joking, joking!"
But now Brobbey might not have to wait that long at all.
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What clubs are interested in Brobbey?
With Brobbey still owned by Leipzig, Ajax are unsurprisingly interested in bringing Brobbey back home on a full-time basis - especially having lost fellow striker Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund.
But United are now out in front in the race to sign him, with Ten Hag saying "everything is open" when pushed on his interest in the 20-year-old.
Brobbey could add to a rich history of Dutch strikers at Man Utd, which includes Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie.
When does Brobbey's contract expire?
Brobbey's contract with Leipzig runs until 30 June 2025, but Leipzig are unlikely to insist upon him seeing things out in Saxony.
How old is Brobbey?
Brobbey was born in Amsterdam on 1 February 2002, making him 20.
What is Brobbey's Instagram?
Brian Brobbey's Instagram has 207k followers as of July 2022.
