Brian Brobbey has left Ajax for the second time on a permanent transfer and completed a move to Sunderland for €20m plus €5m bonuses on deadline day.
Former Ajax and PSV forward Wim Kieft has been analysing Brobbey’s sale to Sunderland in his column for De Telegraaf, and he’s of the belief the player wasn’t keen on this move.
The 62-year-old insists a lack of options was the reason the striker ended up joining Sunderland, and he adds that the Black Cats decided to bet on him because of the finances of the operation.
Sunderland saw summer loan signing Marc Guiu return to his parent club Chelsea towards the end of the window. This forced them to act, and they eventually decided to bet on the Netherlands international
Kieft insists both the 23-year-old, and the Premier League newcomers took advantage of their situations to complete this operation.
“On the transfer front, the moves of Brian Brobbey from Ajax to Sunderland and Kasper Dolberg from Anderlecht to Ajax are interesting. Both strikers from the Ajax academy failed at Ajax, and Dolberg is getting a second chance,” he said.
“Brobbey chose Sunderland because he had no choice. And Sunderland didn’t choose Brobbey because he’s scored so many goals. It’s simply an affordable opportunity for the English side, who are laughing at a transfer fee of €20m excluding bonuses.”
Kieft’s claim is hard to believe, especially considering that Brobbey explained on Friday how thrilled he is with his move to the English club and wanting to repay their trust.
The former attacker remains hopeful that Brobbey can make progress in his career at the Stadium of Light.
“I’m curious to see what Brobbey can achieve in the Premier League with his play and qualities. Hopefully, he can boost his career in the Netherlands, free from prejudice,” Kieft explained.
“It is a pity, however, that Brobbey, like Dolberg before him, did not make it to the Johan Cruijff ArenA as the new prodigy from the Ajax academy.”
