Erik ten Hag admits defeat in Man Utd transfer pursuit after secret phone call

Manchester United believe that RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey will return to Ajax this summer despite phone calls with Erik ten Hag.

New United boss Ten Hag is on the lookout for more attacking firepower after the news that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave United after just one season while Edinson Cavani was among a glut of first-team exits this summer upon the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman shares a close relationship with striker Brobbey, who he brought back to Ajax on a six-month loan spell without an option to buy in January. The young striker bagged seven goals in 13 appearances in that spell despite picking up a medial collateral ligament knee injury and he is keen to leave Leipzig permanently this summer.

Ten Hag held phone calls with Brobbey to discuss the striker's future with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford. The 20-year-old is highly rated and would cost just £13million, although doubts remained if he was ready to make the step up to Premier League football at this stage.

A report in the MEN outlines how United are now prepared to admit defeat in their pursuit of the striker, whom they expect to return to Ajax on a permanent basis this summer. He will become the club's second attacking addition following their deal to sign Dutch international Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham.

That may boost United's prospects of signing Ajax forward Antony, who is said to be among the leading transfer targets for Ten Hag who is keen to reunite with the 22-year-old with the Brazilian telling the Dutch giants that he wants the club to consider allowing him to make the switch to United this summer.

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Brobbey joked after being asked for comment after Ten Hag's appointment at Old Trafford earlier this year: "I'm very happy for him - if he brings me to Manchester in two years!"

United have made just one purchase in the summer transfer window to date with the addition of full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. However, the club are close to signing free agent Christian Eriksen - who has a three-year verbal agreement in place with United.

Eriksen is now set to finally join United under Erik ten Hag, with whom he shares a strong relationship. The Danish star never played under Ten Hag at Ajax, but he was invited back to the club last year to train with the squad in a bid to help him recover full fitness after leaving Inter.