Erik ten Hag lines up another Ajax star to replace Martial as Man Utd fans say ‘keep this man away from transfers’
MANCHESTER UNITED have lined up another Ajax star to replace Anthony Martial, according to reports.
Martial has six months remaining on his United contract and is set to leave as a free agent this summer, despite United having the option to extend his deal by another year.
As reported by The Athletic, Martial has rejected opportunities to move during this transfer window as he looks for a bigger payday as a free agent.
And according to The Mirror, Ten Hag may look to bring in a forward he has worked with before in Brian Brobbey, 21.
The United boss handed Brobbey his Ajax debut back in 2020 and would be keen on him as a summer signing.
While ten Hag wants to bring in a forward in January, the club are likely limited by FFP to only bring one in on loan – ruling out a move for the Dutch forward.
United scouts will continue to track the player ahead of a possible Summer move when Martial leaves as a free agent.
Arsenal, who have also been looking for a forward in this market, have also taken a look at Brobbey.
Brobbey scored six goal on his debut season for Ajax in 2020 before leaving to join RB Leipzig for free.
After failing to score in his 14 appearances for the German side he was loaned back to Ajax in January 2022 before signing for them permanently.
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His 12 goals on his return helped Ajax and ten Hag to their last Eredivisie title.
Ten Hag reportedly instructed United to enquire over the signing of Brobbey when he joined United in the summer of 2022, however he re-signed permanently for Ajax after they exercised his £16million buy clause.
It wouldn’t be the first time United have signed a player ten Hag has managed before, and fans aren’t too happy about that prospect.
The Dutchman brought in Antony for £80m shortly after joining the club and instructed to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan this summer – who has not been a success.
Lisandro Martinez also played for Ten Hag at Ajax and has been good on the whole, but Tyrell Malacia less so.
On the Brobbey links, one fan on Twitter said: “Keep this man away from the transfers man.”
Another wrote: “He’s signing another flop.”
Brobbey has eight goals and four assists in 15 Eredivisie games this season.