Arsenal have been linked with several strikers ahead of the transfer window this summer, and Ajax striker Brian Brobbey is the latest name on Mikel Arteta’s radar.
The 22-year-old scored 22 and assisted 12 times in 43 games across all competitions for his struggling Ajax side, and is now the third player from his club linked with a move to the Emirates this summer.
Goalkeeper Diant Ramaj and defender Jorrel Hato have also been named as potential targets for Arteta, and after a disastrous season, Ajax’s key stars may be available as they look to raise funds for the summer.
However, Brobbey will not come cheaply, and it is questionable whether the Dutchman would represent good value in the transfer window. Nevertheless, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has highlighted the qualities Brobbey brings to his team.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk praised reported Arsenal target Brian Brobbey
Speaking to Dutch outlet RTL in October 2022, when Brobbey first broke through at Ajax, Van Dijk praised the striker, who has been capped once for the Dutch National Team.
“I think he’s a great boy,” he stated.
“He is a great talent and basically has everything. He is fast, strong and can finish well.”
Arsenal should be wary over potential deal for Brian Brobbey
Although his goal record this season was strong, there are question marks over whether Brobbey can make the step up from a struggling Ajax team to an Arsenal side challenging for the title.
Brobbey has scored 49 times in 119 Ajax appearances, and at 22, would fit the younger profile of striker Arteta is seemingly keen on. With Kai Havertz thriving upfront, any forward that comes in can be afforded time to adapt and settle, rather than requiring an immediate impact.
Arsenal do also need extra pace in the team, and Brobbey would certainly add this, meaning that as a rotation option, he could be of the right mould that could help Arsenal.
However, other forwards have struggled in England after thriving at Ajax, with Manchester United flop Antony the latest example. Brobbey is still fairly raw, but at 22, he may be afforded less time to refine his game than if he was 18.
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Other targets such as Benjamin Sesko may have higher ceilings than Brobbey, as younger options competing at a higher level, and given that Brobbey may have a £68m price tag, he may simply be too much of a gamble for Arsenal this summer.