Arsenal battle Man Utd for Ten Hag favourite

Cameron Smith

8 Jul 2024 04:00 CDT
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Erik ten Hag, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Arsenal are reportedly ready to battle Manchester United for the signing of Ajax forward Brian Brobbey.

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The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move and he will be the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, according to The Sun.

Brobbey will cost a reported €35 million after he netted 22 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions last season.

Erik ten Hag is a known admirer of the Netherlands international, having managed him at Ajax, while Mikel Arteta reportedly believes Brobbey could be an astute addition for Arsenal.

Although Man Utd are keen on Brobbey, the Red Devils are close to signing Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee. The 23-year-old has agreed to join Ten Hag’s side this summer and Man Utd are set to trigger his €40m release clause.

As a result, the Old Trafford club appear unlikely to sign Brobbey, meaning a move to north London could be on the cards.

Arsenal were previously interested in signing Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko, but he has signed a new contract at RB Leipzig and will not be moving clubs this summer.

© IMAGO - Arsenal want to sign Brian Brobbey

What has Brian Brobbey said?

Brobbey has previously admitted that he would love to join Arsenal at some point in the future.

In May, the Dutchman was questioned about his dream club and he told NOS Jeugdjournaal (via Soccer News): “Arsenal, I think that is a very nice club. If you look at that stadium. A very nice club, but that also applies to Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.”

While Brobbey has revealed his desire to play for Arsenal in the future, he was quick to stress that he will not push to leave Ajax this summer. “I have a contract until 2027. At the moment I am just at Ajax,” he concluded.