Why Manchester United and Others Should Pursue Monaco’s Rising Star Paris Brunner
At just 20 years old, Paris Brunner has rapidly become one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe. His journey began when he joined Borussia Dortmund’s academy at 14 in 2020, where he amassed an impressive 56 goals in 74 youth appearances. His talents also shone on the international stage, notably at the 2023 Under-17 European Championship, where he shared the Golden Boot with four goals and earned Player of the Tournament honors.
Later that year, Brunner was pivotal in Germany's Under-17 World Cup triumph in Indonesia, scoring five goals including one in the final against France, and collecting the Golden Ball award. Despite Borussia Dortmund’s attempts to secure him on a professional contract, negotiations faltered. To avoid losing him without compensation, Dortmund sold Brunner to Monaco for €4 million in August 2024.
"Monaco showed me a clear sporting path, how they want to plan with me and develop me," Brunner told Sport BILD. "This appreciation and clarity immediately convinced and impressed me. I had the feeling that they really wanted me."
Initial Steps in Belgium
Monaco's strategy involved sending Brunner on loan to Belgian side Cercle Brugge to gain senior experience and exposure to European football. The transition was tough; coach Miron Muslic demanded intense physical effort in a pressing system, limiting Brunner to only two substitute appearances in his first three months. An injury sidelined him from mid-December to late February, but in limited starts, he scored six goals in eight matches.
His standout moments came in the Conference League, including a dominant performance against Hearts and a crucial late equalizer with a looping header against Istanbul Basaksehir. His explosive speed, skillful footwork, and goal instinct made him a threat every time he played, though decision-making in attack remained a work in progress.
Challenges and Growth at Monaco
Returning to Monaco for the 2025-26 season, Brunner found it difficult to secure a spot behind established forwards Mika Biereth and Folarin Balogun. Manager Adi Hutter expressed concerns about his attitude, and Brunner was limited to brief substitute appearances before Sebastien Pocognoli replaced Hutter. Under Pocognoli, Brunner saw just 127 minutes across all competitions and spent much time training with the U21 squad.
Despite these setbacks, Brunner excelled for Germany’s Under-20 team, scoring eight goals in four Elite League games, including a brace against Italy and a hat-trick versus Romania. U20 coach Hannes Wolf praised him, saying, "Paris thrives when he feels absolute trust. His performances for Germany show his character and world-class efficiency for his age."
Breakthrough Under Filipe Luis
Monaco appointed Filipe Luis as manager in June, who quickly recognized Brunner’s potential. Injuries to Balogun and new signing Matthias Abline gave Brunner a chance to lead the attack. In his first European start for Monaco during a Champions League qualifier against Gornik Zabrze, he scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory.
Since then, Brunner has netted five more goals in six appearances, including a notable brace in a 2-0 derby win over Marseille. One goal featured a solo run from halfway line to finish calmly after evading defenders, described by Luis as a "masterpiece." Luis said, "He has done his talking on the pitch with goals, pressing, defending, and learning. I like players who express themselves this way."
Controversial Celebration and Its Fallout
Brunner's brilliance hasn’t been without controversy. After scoring a stunning 25-yard strike to earn a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg, he celebrated with a throat-slice gesture towards the home fans, which sparked criticism. Brunner explained afterward that the celebration was an emotional response to insults directed at his family, saying he did not intend disrespect and called it a misunderstanding.
Manager Luis defended him, noting his passion and immediate apology. The league issued a suspended four-match ban, causing Brunner to miss upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures. Despite the setback, Monaco currently leads the table, five points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
Still in Dortmund’s Good Books
Brunner’s time at Dortmund was marked by disciplinary issues, including a suspension linked to an incident involving property damage and being late to meetings. A missed curfew during a first-team camp hampered his chances there, and Dortmund chose not to include a buy-back clause when selling him.
"I don’t know if he could have progressed as much with us given our attackers," Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken said. "He’s a great guy, always performed well on the pitch, and the doors are not closed for Paris."
Why Premier League Clubs Should Take Notice
Brunner’s recent form has caught the eye of Germany’s senior national team coach Jurgen Klopp. Though not in the initial senior squad, Klopp hinted Brunner is on track for U21 involvement. Brunner debuted for Germany U21 with two goals in a 4-0 European Championship qualifier win over Latvia. U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo suggested they don’t want to slow his progress, indicating a fast rise to the senior squad could be near.
With the January transfer window approaching, reports say Liverpool scouts are watching Brunner closely. Yet Manchester United appear to be an ideal fit, especially given their need for a striker after Benjamin Sesko’s shin injury and Joshua Zirkzee’s limited impact. Transfermarkt values Brunner at €15 million—a bargain for a player with his upside.
Brunner’s mix of athleticism, sharp instincts inside the box, and ability to play on the left wing suits the Premier League’s style. He thrives in one-on-one situations and converts chances efficiently. Though still young and gaining experience, his potential rewards outweigh risks.
If United seek a dynamic forward capable of making an immediate impact and developing into a star, Paris Brunner is a name worth pursuing before Europe's top clubs move in.
