Brenner was disappointed to miss out on a ‘dream’ Premier League switch after talks with Nottingham Forest broke down in January, FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan tells The Athletic.
To think, some doubted him too.
Then again, that was perhaps to be expected when Brenner, a marquee £11 million signing from Sao Paulo, scored just eight goals during a highly-underwhelming debut season on American soil.
Perhaps that eye-watering price-tag raised expectations to an intolerable level for a youngster playing outside his Brazilian homeland for the very first time. Whatever the reason, Brenner certainly bounced back, registering 18 goals in just 24 starts during his follow-up season.
Form which attracted attention from a Nottingham Forest side who could fill nearly three separate starting XIs with new signings.
According to The Athletic, problems with obtaining a work permit played a role in Brenner’s aborted switch to the City Ground.
Will Nottingham Forest return for Brenner in the summer?
“As the talks kind of unfolded and the transfer wasn’t going to happen, there was frustration (from Brenner),” Noonan explains, highlighting the difficulties his 23-year-old talisman now faces as he looks to put that disappointment behind him.
“I do (have concerns) because he’s an important part of our team. And, mentally, if you’re not in the right place, that’s tough.
“He’s got the disappointment. As a player, when you have this ambition and you have this dream and it doesn’t happen in the form that you wanted it to, how do you respond? That’s case by case. I don’t know what it’s going to look like when he returns. But I hope he comes back in a strong way.”
Brenner, who was once on the radar of Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan, could still attract more interest if he picks up where he left off in 2022; Cincinnati kicking off the new MLS season at home to Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
And Noonan insists that no one at the TQL Stadium will stand in his way should an acceptable offer arrive.
“It’s a dream for him to go play in a top-five league, specifically the Premier League,” the coach adds. OK, well, we’re still going to continue to work with you to get you there. This is now a summer goal.
“He’s very much a part of the project. But right now, I think for everybody, the project’s going until the summer and then we’ll re-evaluate.”
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