Pranav Nair
Manchester United keen on Bournemouth star David Brooks
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United have earmarked Bournemouth winger David Brooks as an alternative to Jadon Sancho.
Although Sancho is United’s top priority this summer, the club has failed to reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the 20-year-old.
The Red Devils are now looking at other options, with the Cherries star among them. According to the report, Bournemouth will demand at least £40m for the Welsh international.
The player was linked with a move to Old Trafford in a deal worth £50million last summer. However, an unfortunate ankle injury has seen him make just nine appearances all season.
The Cherries are keen to demand top dollar for their stars despite suffering relegation. They have already sold off Nathan Ake while Callum Wilson also looks set to move on.
Brooks has two years left on his current deal and showcased great potential before his untimely injury. United are however yet to make an official bid for the 23-year-old.
Brooks joined the Cherries in 2018 from Sheffield United and went on to enjoy a promising debut season in the English top-tier.
He played 30 times in the Premier League that season and scored seven goals and five assists. In context, Leicester City star James Maddison made just two assists more while playing six games more.
He has also gone from strength to strength on the international stage since making his debut for Wales in 2017. Brooks has since won a total of 12 caps for his country.
A young British player with Premier League experience, Brooks satisfies a number of criteria set up by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
His performances saw him win the coveted Welsh Footballer of the Year award in 2019. The last United player to do so was legendary United winger Ryan Giggs.
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Brooks is a talented player. However, he is not a trailblazer in the ilk of Jadon Sancho. Moreover, his recent injury history remains a matter of concern.
The Welshman could yet turn out to be a consistent performer for the better part of a decade. Whether that will be enough to take us to the next level remains to be seen.
