Sunderland could have signed 20 alternative options to Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, who is likely to get homesick before too long.
That’s according to analysts René van der Gijp and Johan Derksen, [via Voetbal Primeur](https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/1688581/van-der-gijp-verbaast-zich-over-brobbey-transfer.html), who is less than impressed by Sunderland’s decision to sign the striker.
Brobbey was brought in as a late replacement for Marc Guiu, who returned to Chelsea just a month after arriving on loan after Liam Delap picked up a hamstring injury.
The Black Cats turned their attention to Brobbey on deadline day and wrapped up a €20m move in rapid fashion to round off a very busy summer strengthening Regis Le Bris’ squad.
The move to the Stadium of Lights ends a dwindling second spell at Ajax for Brobbey, who returned in a €16.35m deal from RB Leipzig in 2022.
He managed 14 goals and four assists in his first year back and then 22 goals and 11 assists the following season but just seven goals and six assists last season. The latter number had led Ajax to try and move him on this summer, looking around for someone to convince into a deal.
Sunderland were eventually the club that did so, but René van der Gijp isn’t convinced about that decision at all.
“There are still twenty Brobbeys in England. They’re a bit bigger, a bit faster, a bit better, and they score more goals,” he said on Vandaag Inside.
“He’ll get homesick, just like he did at Leipzig,” added Derksen about the striker.