Brian Brobbey: Sunderland make final decision on selling striker to Man United

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The Peoples Person

·

7 July 2026

Joshua Zirkzee has failed to prove that he can provide the competition required to push Benjamin Sesko to his limits.

Signed as a striker, the

Dutchman

has not had the influence that many expected.

He is tipped to leave, as he has been in the last few transfer windows. However, if he does depart, INEOS would be wise to replace him with a natural striker.

As for who they might pursue,

reports

suggest they may finally target long-term option

Brian Brobbey

.

Brobbey has been linked with

Manchester United

since the Erik ten Hag era. The Dutch coach reportedly wanted to sign him from Ajax. Although a deal never materialised, the striker has continued to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Last summer, however, Sunderland took a chance on him, and they must be pleased they did, as Brobbey was a decent addition to their squad.

He was not particularly prolific in front of goal, but with his seven league goals last season, featuring mostly from the bench, he played a key part in the Black Cats staying up and qualifying for the Europa League by finishing seventh.

His strong performances, despite not scoring many goals, earned him a spot in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.

Impressively, on the world stage, Brobbey ended up dazzling, forcing his way into becoming the Netherlands’ first-choice striker. He was influential, netting three goals that helped his side dominate the group stage.

Unfortunately, the Netherlands were knocked out in the round of 32 by

Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco

, but amidst their disappointment, Brobbey had announced himself to the world.

Links to

have resurfaced since, with INEOS reportedly ready to snap him up. But would Sunderland let their promising attacker leave so easily?

Football Insider

argues not. They report: “Sunderland are ‘hopeful’ of fending off interest in striker

this summer.”

They explain further that “the Wearsiders are doing ‘everything they can’ to keep hold of the 24-year-old, and believe that his performances at the World Cup have enhanced his valuation even further.”

It could not be clearer how tricky it may now be to sign Brobbey.

Ultimately,

could opt against this challenging pursuit and instead sign an experienced striker like

Danny Welbeck

to mentor Sesko. Alternatively, they could simply stick with Joshua Zirkzee, hoping that with more game time, given the extra fixtures due to Champions League football, he will kick on.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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