Brenner was disappointed to miss out on a ‘dream’ Premier League move after talks with Nottingham Forest broke down in January, FC Cincinnati manager Pat Noonan told The Athletic.
To think that some also doubted him.
Then again, that was perhaps to be expected when Brenner, an £11m signing from Sao Paulo, scored just eight goals during a very disappointing debut season on American soil.
Perhaps that eye-popping price tag raised expectations to an intolerable level for a youngster playing outside his Brazilian homeland for the first time. Whatever the reason, Brenner certainly bounced back, registering 18 goals in just 24 starts during his following season.
Form that attracted the attention of a Nottingham Forest side who could fill almost three separate starting XIs with new signings.
According to The Athletic, problems obtaining a work permit played a role in Brenner’s aborted move to City Ground.
Will Nottingham Forest return for the Brenner in the summer?
“As talks unfolded and the transfer wasn’t going to happen, there was frustration (on Brenner’s part),” explains Noonan, highlighting the difficulties his talismanic 23-year-old now faces as he seeks to put that disappointment behind him. .
“Yes (I have concerns) because he is an important part of our team. And, mentally, if you’re not in the right place, that’s hard.
“He has disappointment. As a player, when you have this ambition and you have this dream and it doesn’t happen the way you wanted it to, how do you respond? That is case by case. I don’t know what it will look like when I return. But I hope he comes back in a strong way.”
Once on the radar for Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan, Brenner could still attract more interest if he picks up where he left off in 2022; Cincinnati kicks off the new MLS season at home against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
And Noonan insists that no one at TQL Stadium will stand in his way if an acceptable offer comes through.
“It’s a dream for him to play in a top-five league, specifically in the Premier League,” adds the coach. Okay, well, we’ll keep working with you to get it done. This is now a summer goal.
“He is a big part of the project. But right now, I think for everyone, the project will last until the summer and then we’ll re-evaluate it.”
In other news, Pundit explains why Virgil van Dijk is to blame for Liverpool’s defensive woes.