Man Utd in a transfer battle with Arsenal. (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United and Arsenal are both confident of striking a deal as they battle it out for Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, according to reports. The Red Devils look set to sign Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna, but Erik ten Hag is said to be eyeing a surprise second swoop to reinforce his attacking firepower this summer.
Brobbey has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford since Ten Hag was appointed manager in the summer of 2022, the pair having worked together in Amsterdam.
The 22-year-old later revealed that his former boss attempted to lure him to United in his first transfer window before he opted to return to Ajax from RB Leipzig in a £14million deal after just one year in Germany.
He said: "Erik ten Hag called me and said that at United, my agent would get millions of euros and I could earn a multiple of my Ajax salary. But our decision was clear: we wanted to go to Ajax.
"Manchester United wanted to have me, but I insisted on returning to Ajax. To make that possible, my agent Jose Fortes Rodriguez even waived a hefty percentage of the sell-on clause."
United have reportedly now returned to the frame for Brobbey, though, and are joined by Arsenal in the race for his signature.
According to The Sun, Ten Hag wants a reunion, while Mikel Arteta believes he represents an alternative option to Gabriel Jesus.
Brobbey reportedly also isn't short of suitors in Italy, but he is eyeing a Premier League move after a stellar season at Ajax.
Erik ten Hag is eyeing a Brian Brobbey reunion. (Image: Getty)
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The Netherlands international - a part of Ronald Koeman's Euro 2024 squad - registered 22 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances last term.
And there is a belief that he is available for around £30m this summer, sparking United and Arsenal into action.
Ten Hag is already closing in on one striker signing this summer after Zirkzee agreed personal terms ahead of a potential £34m transfer.
United look to have a clear run at the 23-year-old after rivals AC Milan publicly bowed out of the race through Zlatan Ibrahimovic branding him "the past."
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But Ten Hag may be looking to form a three-striker union, including Rasmus Hojlund, by pursuing a deal for Brobbey.
The Ajax striker has already given United and Arsenal fresh hope in their efforts to recruit him by naming both clubs among his most desired next destinations.
He previously admitted: "Arsenal, I think that is a very nice club. If you look at that stadium. A very nice club.
"But that also applies to Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. I have a contract until 2027. At the moment I am just with Ajax."
