While the Netherlands could have been disappointed to only take a point away from the Japanese National Team in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, given that they had the Samurai Blue on the ropes at a few different stages throughout the match, they took all three against their European counterparts, Sweden.
The Oranje came out swinging, with Brian Brobbery finding the back of the Swedish net only five minutes into the match, but this wouldn't be the only effort from the Sunderland star, as he'd end the match with a brace, following his scoring effort in the 17th minute. This would be one of two braces scored by members of the Netherlands, as Liverpool's Cody Gakpo netted multiple goals as well.
While Sunderland were keeping their eyes peeled on Brobbery, so were other clubs around the Premier League.
Brobbery on the move?
As reported by TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the teams interested in acquiring the Dutch forward for the upcoming campaign, following his stellar performance against Sweden in the World Cup.
"Manchester United, who need a frontman to cover and compete with Benjamin Sesko, are long-time suitors and among those very much keen, though they are not alone with sources insisting Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all understood to have retained an interest in Brobbey," writes Bailey.
The Red Devils' interest in Brobbery would make sense for what they're trying to do in the summer window, which is bulking up their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League, having not seen the top stages of European football for the last three seasons. With Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee being the only two strikers currently employed by Manchester United, it wouldn't be a shock to see them try to build on that.
While Manchester United is trying to build up their team for European football, the Lilywhites are doing the same, but for a different reason: to get back to the mid-table. Despite having success in the Europa League in 2025, Tottenham have struggled domestically, having back-to-back seasons of 17th-place finishes. Brobbery would be one of the first attacking-minded transfers made by the North London club, as they've retooled their backline in the opening stages of the transfer window, adding the likes of Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and, most recently, Brobbery's national teammate, Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, any move for the Dutchman is expected to be rejected by Sunderland, who, according to Bailey, aren't willing to part ways with him in the summer window.
"While interest continues to build, Sunderland’s stance remains firm," Bailey stated. "Sources insist there is no asking price attached to the Dutchman at this stage and the club are not entertaining the prospect of losing him this summer."
This hesitance to sell comes after Brobbery had himself quite the Premier League debut season, bagging eight goal involvements in the English top flight, while also helping Sunderland qualify for European football with their seventh place finish in the table.
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