Ten Hag's Target Brobbey Sees Value Plummet to £8m

Manchester United narrowly avoided a costly transfer mistake by not pursuing Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, a player former manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted to sign for £34 million. Brobbey's form has sharply declined this season, managing only four league goals compared to his much higher tally in previous years, leading to a significant drop in his market value to around £8–8.5 million. Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen and others have emphasized that United dodged a bullet, as Ten Hag’s transfer targets from the Eredivisie, including Brobbey, have largely underperformed. Brobbey himself turned down United in 2022 despite a lucrative offer, choosing instead to return to Ajax. The club's new leadership under Ineos has shifted recruitment strategy towards younger, more promising talent, moving away from Ten Hag's preference for familiar faces. United fans and commentators now view the failed pursuit of Brobbey as a fortunate escape, reflecting broader concerns over past recruitment missteps.