(Credit: Imago)
Sunderland will demand a “huge” fee to entertain talks over the future of Brian Brobbey this summer as they have no intention of letting him leave.
The 24-year-old has established himself as a key part of Regis Le Bris’ side since joining last summer, and scored a late winner as they beat rivals Newcastle 2-1 last time out.
His performances have attracted interest from a number of Premier League rivals, including the likes of Aston Villa, who could look to prise him away.
However, former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Black Cats are extremely reluctant to lose any of their star players this summer.
After a strong first season back in the Premier League, Sunderland will look to add to Le Bris’ squad while retaining their best performers including Brobbey.
Sunderland plan to deter Aston Villa’s Brian Brobbey move
Brown told Football Insider on 25 March that Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Brobbey as a result of his impressive displays in the Premier League.
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The Netherlands international has scored six goals in 24 league appearances so far this season, while his hold-up play has been widely praised by neutrals.
| Brian Brobbey | Premier League Stats 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 24 |
| Minutes Played | 1370 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Goals p/g | 0.25 |
| Assists | 1 |
However, those attributes have made him a crucial player for Sunderland, and they have no intention of letting him leave just one year into his contract.
“Brobbey has become a really important player for Sunderland,” Brown told Football Insider.
“It’s clear the manager likes what he brings to the team, so I can’t imagine they’ll be looking to sell him already, no matter who comes in.
“Sunderland did a fantastic job with their recruitment in the summer and it’s been a really strong season for them, and Brobbey has been very impressive.
“He looks a handful to play against. He’s strong, will back into defenders, battle them, fight them, run in behind, and he’ll score goals as well.
“That makes him such a valuable player to have, and Sunderland have had a strong season so they don’t want to lose players already, they want to build on it.
“It would take a huge fee to get him out, and even then, I’m not sure they’d be looking to sell.”
Why do Aston Villa want to sign Brobbey?
Villa’s pursuit of Brobbey comes ahead of what could be a busy transfer window with Unai Emery looking to add to his squad in attacking areas.
Brown previously told Football Insider that Aston Villa hope to sign a new striker amid ongoing concerns about the performances of Ollie Watkins.
Tammy Abraham’s arrival during the mid-season window has added firepower to their front line and competition for Watkins, but new additions are still being eyed.
Alongside Villa’s ambitions of signing a new striker, there are growing doubts about Watkins’ future after what has been a disappointing season so far.
Brobbey’s performances in the Premier League, where he has exhibited great hold-up play, willingness to run and goalscoring ability, have placed him on their radar.
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