Rodrigo Muniz is Leeds United’s primary attacking target this summer, but the striker remains a Fulham player currently despite weeks of negotiations.
Leeds United have put more of an onus on the defensive foundations thus far in the transfer market, but the reality for them is relegation without a Premier League proven striker to spearhead their attack.
Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz is their preference but Fulham have dropped a £50 million valuation on Muniz and that has proven to be an issue, even if it ends up being less than that to acquire him.
It’s very likely to be less but also nearly definite that a club-record fee from Leeds is required to sign Muniz from the Cottagers this summer.
Rodrigo Muniz celebrates scoring a goal for Fulham against Crystal Palace.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Leeds should sign Ajax’s Brian Brobbey instead of Rodrigo Muniz
It’s also been reported that Leeds are readying a second Muniz bid after an initial £32 million package was rejected. In recent days, it’s become clearer that Fulham have been planning for life post-Muniz for a while.
Graham Smyth has explained the Muniz latest, but none of it is guaranteed. Leeds have other positions to fill to make their transfer budget stretch. Muniz could be a touch too expensive for Leeds to go to.
Leeds simply have to have contingency plans in place, especially given the finances involved thus far. A similar profile alternative is Ajax’s 23-year-old Dutch centre-forward Brian Brobbey.
Having had a failed move to RB Leipzig in his career already, Brobbey has had to quickly develop since returning to Ajax. He has had a few inconsistent seasons, but his skill-set is very much what Leeds are in the market for this summer.
Team Year(s) Appearances Goals Assists
Ajax 2020/2021 19 6 2
RB Leipzig 2021/2022 14 0 2
Ajax 2022 – now 144 50 20
Netherlands 2023 – now 8 1 1
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Leeds need someone with the requisite athleticism and mobility, while also being a strong and powerful player capable of scoring goals. Brobbey may only stand at 5’11” but he stands out in terms of each of those criteria.
His goalscoring instincts are also there, in spite of a disappointing 2024/25 campaign of just seven strikes in front of goal. However, his dip in form should mean his stock — and thus his market value — is lower than a year ago.
Brobbey is comfortable finishing and shooting off either foot when he is sharp, confident, and in the mood. He is also a decent enough link player and dribbler, meaning Leeds would only lose some of that aspect Muniz brings to the table.
In terms of Brobbey’s ability to lead the line and rough up defenders, he is exactly what the 49ers and their recruitment team are after. His potential and the propensity to improve are also factors here, with Brobbey not yet near his peak.
Ajax striker Brian Brobbey with Erik ten Hag
Photo by Gerrit van Keulen/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Brian Brobbey is a former Man United target
Brobbey deserves another shot at one of the ‘Big-Five’ leagues again this summer, which is why Leeds should consider him as an alternative to Muniz.
Despite comparisons to Erling Haaland in recent goalscoring terms, Muniz is expensive. Described as ‘lethal’ by a scouting report from Breaking the Lines, Brobbey would give Leeds’ whole team a platform to build and sustain attacks.
Back when Man United had Erik ten Hag in charge, they were a club Fabrizio Romano named as interested in Brobbey, via GiveMeSport: “Nothing is imminent for [Joshua] Zirkzee. It’s different for Brobbey because he’s a player ten Hag knows very well.
“So, he’s one of the names they discussed internally in the last couple of months. Also, last summer, he was one of the names they mentioned.
“As of now, I’m not aware of any negotiations or discussions with Ajax. I think it’s still early to know if they will go for Brobbey in the summer.”
Leeds could instead swoop in for a player needing another crack at a stronger league this summer, saving plenty of Muniz cash for other areas of their team in the current window.