Aaron Ramsdale says the last year has “taken its toll” on former teammate and reported Manchester United target, David Brooks.
Brooks spent the majority of last season injured, having enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough campaign at Bournemouth in 2018/19 following his switch from Sheffield United.
The Wales international was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award that term, before being plagued by an ankle problem. It meant Brooks didn’t play at all in 2019/20 until after lockdown.
The Cherries have since been relegated from the Premier League. Yet despite his absence, the 23-year-old is being linked with a £40m move to Old Trafford.
What Ramsdale says about Manchester United target Brooks
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Ramsdale was a teammate of Brooks’ at the Vitality Stadium and with the Blades. The goalkeeper left Bramall Lane in January 2017 to join Bournemouth, before making an £18.5m return last week.
Ramsdale and Brooks are close friends and the former was asked by Talksport about the future of the Welshman – who has also been linked with a return to South Yorkshire.
“I’m leaving him to it,” the 22-year-old said.
“He’s had a tough year being injured. As one of his closest friends, possibly it has taken its toll on him a little bit.
“If he stays I’m sure he’ll do well for Bournemouth this year. He’s a crucial player.”
The chances of Brooks remaining in Dorset following the Cherries’ relegation seem minimal. The Daily Mail reports that the midfielder is expected to follow in the footsteps of Ramsdale and Nathan Ake and leave this summer.
Ake has joined Manchester City in a £41m deal and Brooks is valued at a similar price. Josh King and Callum Wilson are also likely to depart the club.
The Red Devils are seriously considering Brooks having failed to come to an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over the signing of Jadon Sancho.
