Given the growing frustrations over Jadon Sancho’s transfer, Manchester United are looking at Bournemouth’s David Brooks as an alternative to him, according to reports in The Sun.
A transfer for young Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho looks incredibly distant as United have hit a snag in talks over agent fees and actual transfer value for the player. After the Alexis Sanchez transfer debacle and Pogba’s record fee in 2016 where his agent Mino Raiola pocketed over €40 million, Ed Woodward and the United management have been wary of similar deals.
Relegated from the Premier League this season with Bournemouth, winger David Brooks is the latest entrant in the rumour mill for a potential move to United. The player had been linked with the club in past windows but were turned off by his current employer’s valuation of £50m.
The Welshman would presently cost significantly lesser, now that his club are in the second tier of English football. He would be a decent addition to the first team roster and could rotate with Mason Greenwood on the right flank.
Brooks joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2018 after being a part of the Sheffield United set-up in the Championship. As soon as he arrived at the Vitality Stadium, he was promoted to the first team and made 29 starts for the club in his first season.
Before succumbing to an ankle injury and being ruled out for the majority of Bournemouth’s games this season, Brooks had an impressive inaugural season with the Cherries. The Welsh winger played an important role in Eddie Howe’s team as he had a direct hand in 12 goals for the club in his first-ever season in the top flight of English football.
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The manager, who departed from the club this season, was always full of praise for the young attacker and complimented his contributions in key matches over the course of the 2018-19 season. The 2018-19 Welsh Footballer of the Year would fit the bill for the Red Devils and can make a decent deputy for Sancho, should he ever join United in subsequent seasons.
However, considering his long layoff and subpar displays since the restart, one has to wonder why United should invest in David Brooks immediately. Perhaps, he is one for the future after he grows in stature on the pitch. United would be better off taking their time and finding a short term replacement, rather than hastily buying a player only for him to disappoint in the future.