Sunderland Among A Host Of Clubs To Keep Tabs On This Ajax Attacker: What Should The Black Cats Do | OneFootball

If a recent report from the Dutch outlet AD is believed to be true, Sunderland are keeping close tabs on Brian Brobbey ahead of a potential summer move. But they are not alone in the hunt, with German club VfB Stuttgart, Italian heavyweights AS Roma and the French side Stade Rennes also keen on the Ajax centre-forward.

After a brief stint with AFC, the 23-year-old Netherlands international joined the esteemed academy ranks of de Godenzonen at the age of 8. Brobbey showcased his finishing traits while representing the reserves in the Eerste Divisie and was also given 19 first-team appearances before running down his contract in the summer of 2021.

But a Bosman move to RB Leipzig did not work out for the young ‘number 9’ as he returned to his boyhood club six months later, initially on a short-term loan for the second half of the 2021-22 campaign. Ajax splashed €16.35m (plus €3m add-ons) to make the move permanent upon his stellar impact while spearheading the attack, and the youngster maintained his impressive scoring record for successive seasons.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – FEBRUARY 16: Brian Brobbey of AFC Ajax is fouled by Danilho Doekhi of 1.FC Union Berlin during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg one match between AFC Ajax and 1. FC Union Berlin at Johan Cruyff Arena on February 16, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Although Brobbey failed to replicate similar numbers last term with just 7 goals and 6 assists in 44 outings across competitions, his high work ethic, ball-carrying ability and link-up play were instrumental to Ajax’s exquisite Eredivisie run before an injury-time heartbreak against Groningen in their penultimate league fixture.

Why Sunderland Should Explore The Opportunity

The Dutchman has yet to feature this season due to an ankle injury, and might have already played the last game of his second stint with the Lancers. His physicality, pace and hold-ups would help him attune to the grind and demands of the Premier League, and Sunderland, who claimed an emphatic 3-0 win against West Ham upon their top-flight return, must rope him in to add more firepower high up the pitch.

The Wearsiders already have an exciting pool of young players, including Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor. Both of them found the net last weekend, and Regis Le Bris, the Mackems’ boss, added further depth up top by snapping up Chelsea teenager Marc Guiu on a season-long loan. Nevertheless, Brobbey’s experience of the highest order could come into play in their battle for survival deep down the campaign.

Meanwhile, Rennes have eyed him as a replacement for Arnaud Kalimuendo, who recently completed a £26m transfer to Nottingham Forest. The Ligue 1 outfit are ready to pay around £17m, but still a few million short of Ajax’s valuation for their star striker. However, the Dutch giants are open to negotiations, and the Black Cats, therefore, must step up the chase if they plan to hijack the move before the window is slammed shut.