Manchester United are reportedly plotting a move to sign Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old Dutch forward moved to the Stadium of Light from Ajax Amsterdam last summer and made an impressive start to his Premier League career.
Brobbey registered eight goal contributions during his debut campaign in English football, helping Sunderland qualify for next season’s Europa League with a seventh-place finish.
His strong club form earned him a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, where he continued to shine on the international stage.
Brobbey scored three goals in as many starts at the tournament in the USA before the Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco on penalties in the last-32.
Those performances appear to have caught Manchester United’s attention, with the club now identifying him as a serious option to strengthen their centre-forward position.
Football Insider reports that United could make a concrete approach over the coming weeks as they look to bolster their attacking options.
However, Sunderland are determined to keep hold of Brobbey, whose contract runs until 2029, and the club’s Europa League qualification is expected to strengthen their hand in any negotiations.
Manchester United currently have Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee as their recognised striker options, though Zirkzee has struggled to find his feet since joining from Bologna.
Sesko also took time to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League after arriving from Leipzig, though he showed improvement during the second half of last season.
Manager Michael Carrick was forced to use Bryan Mbeumo in the number nine role at times last term, despite the player being a natural right-winger.
Brobbey, valued at around £26m by Transfermarkt, is regarded as a powerful and complete centre-forward who is quick, strong in the air, and effective both in and out of possession.
A player with those attributes could offer United a genuine physical presence up front, something they have arguably lacked in recent seasons at Old Trafford.