Manchester United Eyeing Another Former Ajax Player After Erik Ten Hag Phone Calls

Erik ten Hag is continuing his plan to turn Manchester United into Ajax, as he eyes another of his former players to solve his potential striker crisis.

So far this summer United's transfer dealings have not been particularly smooth going but the Premier League side have at least signed a player, which is still less than the Ghana national team.

Tyrell Malacia was the first arrival under Ten Hag, and Christian Eriksen looks a done deal. Whilst Malacia might have come from Ajax's Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord, Eriksen is one of several Ajax alumni, or current players, who United have been linked with.

The club's number one target remains Frenkie de Jong, even if Chelsea are attempting to sign the midfielder from under them, whilst Antony, Jurrin Timber and Lisandro Martinez are current stars rumoured to be on Ten Hag's wanted list.

Now RB Leipzig forward Brian Brobbey can be added to the list, with Bild claiming that the United boss is interested in bringing his former player to Old Trafford.

The report claims that Ten Hag has held phone conversations with the 20-year-old, who is available for around £12.8 million.

The Dutch striker came through the youth ranks at the Johan Cruyff Stadium but left on a free for Leipzig in July 2021, after his contract expired.

Things didn't go as planned in Germany, after he failed to hit the back of the net in 14 appearances in all competitions, including nine in the Bundesliga.

He returned to Ajax last January on loan and scored seven times in 13 appearances, despite picking up an injury, and was clearly much happier playing for Ten Hag.

There was no option, or obligation, to buy in his loan deal and he has returned to pre season training in Germany, although he wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

If United do move for him, it could put them in direct competition with Ajax, who were expected to try and bring Brobbey back permanently, and could see the Premier League club hijack a move, as they did with Malacia.

Brobbey had actually congratulated Ten Hag on getting the job at Old Trafford by joking that he wanted the 52-year-old to take him with.

That joke came with the caveat of 'in two years,' however the timeline might have needed to move up with Cristiano Ronaldo's potential departure.

Though the 37-year-old is running out of potential suitors, he wants to leave the club and if that happens then United would be short of options upfront.

Anthony Martial would most likely have to lead the line, following his unsuccessful loan move to Sevilla last season, but the new manager wouldn't have much back up, unless he made at least one signing.