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

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.