- 22 hours ago
West Ham striker TWIST: Brobbey second choice as talks for top target confirmed
Robin Bairner
- 24 Jan 2025 04:14 CST
- 4 min read
West Ham United are rumoured to have reached an agreement to sign Ajax striker Brian Brobbey on loan, but in a huge twist to the deal, Fabrizio Romano says there is "no chance" this information is accurate.
Indeed, reports from Germany indicate that Graham Potter's side are still hot on the trail of RB Leipzig attacker Andre Silva and continue to prioritise the Portuguese for the No.9 role.
West Ham had launched an ambitious bid to land Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, but after being knocked back by the Birmingham club have been forced to look elsewhere for offensive alternatives. They had previously been linked briefly with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
This led the Hammers to sound out Ajax over a loan deal for Brobbey, who had previously been linked with Manchester United during Erik ten Hag’s era at Old Trafford, as well as Andre Silva at RB Leipzig.
READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2025: All the Done Deals
Current ETV
Brian Brobbey
F (C)
Ajax
Brian Brobbey
F (C)
Ajax
ETV Range
€12.1M - €20.1M
According to TBR Football, an agreement has been reached for Brobbey and Potter, who was given more than 20 options to select from by the West Ham board, will have a new addition to his offensive arsenal within 48 hours.
Potter, who seemed on the verge of agreeing to become Ajax boss for a period last season, will have studied the Amsterdam side’s squad closely and will, therefore, know all about the qualities of Brobbey, who is said to be on his way to London for his medical.
West Ham are desperate for firepower, with an injury crisis gripping the squad. Michail Antonio was involved in a serious car accident at the end of last year and is therefore out for at least a year. With Niclas Fullkrug also out until April, Danny Ings is now the only specialist striker available to Potter.
Brobbey or Andre Silva still possible for West Ham
Brobbey was touted as a possible option for the Hammers on Thursday, when Florian Plettenberg revealed that he could hook up with Potter’s side in case a loan deal for RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva collapsed.
Plettenberg claims that has not happened yet.
"New negotiations between West Ham and Andre Silva are taking place today. An agreement is being sought to finalise the deal," he says.
"After numerous rejections and failed offers (e.g., Jhon Duran), Silva is now high on their list. Advanced talks with Silva underway, as reported yesterday. No agreement with Leipzig yet."
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, indicates that there is "no chance" that this offer has been accepted.
Taking to X, he said: "West Ham have made contact for Bryan Brobbey deal with Ajax but no chance for a straight loan move.
"Obligation to buy or permanent transfer needed to advance in negotiations, as Ajax have no plans to accept a loan."
STATS
Brian Brobbey
F (C)
Ajax
Brian Brobbey
F (C)
Ajax
Brobbey would be a surprising option for West Ham given his dreadful form this season. He has netted only four times in 29 matches across all competitions, despite Ajax being the third-highest-scoring side in the Eredivisie.
Indeed, the 22-year-old striker has never been a particularly assuring presence in front of goal, despite a scoring rate that is, on the face of it, impressive.
In particular, Brobbey struggled during a loan stint in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, failing to net in 14 appearances. West Ham need him to find better form for Potter in the Premier League.
