Brian Brobbey surprise emerges already at Sunderland after deadline day deal
Sunderland secured the signature of Brian Brobbey on deadline day.
The Black Cats made no secret of their desire to sign new forward options this summer, and with the arrival of Brobbey at Sunderland on deadline day, they achieved that.
Brobbey signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, replacing Marc Guiu, who was recalled by Chelsea just a month into his spell on Wearside.
Many have hailed Brobbey as the perfect signing for Sunderland, though an element of surprise has emerged in the nature of the deal.
Sunderland may have overpaid for Brian Brobbey
The fee to bring the Dutchman to Wearside is believed to be in the region of £21million, making him Sunderland‘s most expensive striker ever.
It wasn’t too long ago that he was attracting interest from some of Europe’s elites, before somewhat losing his way at Ajax, albeit for reasons which are completely understandable.
Brobbey’s last three seasons
- 24/25 – 44 games, 7 goals, 6 assists
- 23/24 – 43 games, 22 goals, 9 assists
- 22/23 – 44 games, 14 goals, 4 assists
In today’s market, just north of £20m for a striker doesn’t seem like a lot, but Dutch journalist Arthur Renard believes it was an inflated price.
Speaking via BBC Radio Newcastle on 11 September, he said: “He has a really good scoring ability, although last season, he was not as prolific as in the previous two.
“In that way, it’s maybe a little surprising that Ajax got the money they did for him. I think he could be more suited to a more physical game.”
Premier League football could be perfect for Brian Brobbey
Renard isn’t the only person to have highlighted Brobbey’s physicality, with several others also naming that as his biggest strength.
In the Premier League, having the ability to hold off defenders is crucial, and is certainly something that Sunderland have lacked for several years.
Wilson Isidor is likely to get the nod against Fulham, though there is every chance that Brobbey has a part to play in the game, albeit more likely from the bench.
At the end of the day, the value in the deal to sign Brobbey will be determined by whether or not he can score the goals to keep the Mackems in the top flight.
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