Man Utd told David Brooks transfer will cost £40million as Solskjaer identifies Jadon Sancho alternative

Posted Friday, August 21, 2020 by Thesun.co.uk

MANCHESTER UNITED have been told they must cough up a whopping £40million to land Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.

They have identified Wales winger Brooks, 23, as a viable alternative to top target Jadon Sancho as talks with Borussia Dortmund continue to stall.

The Red Devils are long-term admirers of Brooks and are ready to press ahead with a move despite the former Sheffield United man missing most of last season through injury.

Bournemouth’s new manager Jason Tindall wants to keep Brooks and build his side’s bid for an instant return to the Premier League around him.

But the club’s Russian owner Maxim Demin would be willing to sell for the right price as he looks to reduce the financial impact of the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship.

Brooks cost Bournemouth £11.5m from Sheffield United in the summer of 2018 and enjoyed a stellar debut season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 30 games.

The Warrington-born wideman, who began his career at Manchester City, missed all but the final nine matches of last season due to an ankle injury.

Brooks is also attracting interest from Everton, Tottenham and former club United, who are owed money from his transfer.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could seek the opinion of former team-mate and Wales boss Ryan Giggs, who is known to be an admirer of Brooks.

Solskjaer spoke with Giggs before signing Welsh international Dan James from Swansea last summer.

Tindall insisted there would be no fire-sale this summer.

But the Cherries have already flogged Nathan Ake to Manchester City for £41m and agreed an £18.5m fee with Sheffield United for keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Strike duo Callum Wilson and Joshua King are also both almost certain to leave while Jefferson Lerma wants to go back to Spain.