Sunderland plan to 'block' Brian Brobbey move as Premier League rivals swoop

Sunderland have no plans to entertain offers for Brian Brobbey this summer despite growing interest from Premier League rivals.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a strong first season at the Stadium of Light, where he established himself as a key part of the starting XI in the closing stages of the season.

He was then included in Ronald Koeman's Netherlands squad for the World Cup, where he impressed a number of his watching suitors with some impressive displays.

However, former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Brobbey will not be allowed to leave the North East and remanis a key player in Regis Le Bris' plans.

The striker scored seven goals in 31 Premier League appearances last time out, including in key wins against Newcastle and Everton towards the end of the season.

After qualifying for the Europa League, the Black Cats are unwilling to lose any of their star players, and are prepared to stand firm in their stance over Brobbey's future.

How do Sunderland feel about selling Brian Brobbey?

Brown told Football Insider on 7 July that Sunderland are bracing to receive offers for Brobbey, but are extremely reluctant to lose key players this summer.

The centre-forward's experience in the Premier League, combined with his trademark strength and ability to cause nightmares for defenders, has placed him firmly on clubs' radars.

Having already stood firm to deny Granit Xhaka a move away earlier in the window, Sunderland are prepared to do so again, with Brobbey a key part of their plans.

"Sunderland do not want to lose any of their important players now," Brown told Football Insider.

"They had such a successful first season back in the Premier League, but now is the time to build on that, it should be a starting point for them, not the end goal.

"To push on from this position, they have to keep their best players at the club and then add quality around them in key positions.

"They already showed with Granit Xhaka that they are prepared to block players leaving unless silly money comes in, and I expect they will do the same with Brobbey.

"He had some really good performances for Sunderland last season, and then went to the World Cup where he was impressive as well.

"He's so strong, so physically dominant, and now he's got a year of Premier League football behind him, so it's no surprise some of the top English clubs have had a look.

"But as far as Sunderland are concerned, he is not for sale, and they have no plans to lose Brobbey because he will be a key part of their squad this season."

Which clubs are interested in signing Brobbey?

Sunderland's updated stance on selling Brobbey comes after a number of Premier League rivals joined the race for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Multiple clubs from across European football have been keeping tabs on the former Ajax striker, but his displays in English football have grabbed the attention of elite sides.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Man United have been keeping tabs on Brobbey as they aim to add depth to their striker position behind Benjamin Sesko.

Michael Carrick is aiming to improve his squad ahead of their return to Champions League football, with a number of positions in need of added strength in depth.

The likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa have also been linked with moves for Brobbey, and could test Sunderland's resolve, but the Black Cats are aiming to block any move.