Tottenham and Arsenal could be set for a major battle off the pitch in the summer transfer window for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt. The Gunners have held previous interest in the German international and his recent upturn in form has alerted their north London rivals Spurs, who are in desperate need of a creative midfielder.
The 26-year-old has been a consistent figure in the Dortmund set up following his move from fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. In the first few months of the 2022/23 season, Brandt saw his minutes in the first-team diminish as he grabbed four goals and two assists in the league prior to the World Cup break.
With the World Cup contested in November and December, with Brandt not playing a single minute for his country, and the winter break in the Bundesliga over December and January, he did not compete in a competitive game for over two months.
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However, he marked his return to action on January 22 with an assist in Dortmund's 4-3 win against Augsburg and he has since been in scintillating goal-contribution form since. A further four goals and one assist have followed, with Brandt playing over 80 minutes in all eight of Dortmund's Bundesliga games in 2023.
That form and his contract situation, with his current deal expiring in 2024, could result in Dortmund cashing in on Brandt this summer rather than losing him on a free the following year, according to BILD. It is also noted they will have to pay around €25million (£22.1m) for his services, the amount Dortmund spent when they signed him from Leverkusen in 2019.
They also specifically report that Tottenham and Arsenal are interested in signing him, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided a slightly different view.
Writing in his CaughtOffside column, he said: “Julian Brandt has always been tracked by Arsenal. I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage, nothing new; also because Borussia Dortmund have still not decided on Brandt’s future. New attacking signings will depend on many factors, nothing is decided on summer plan yet.”
Brandt is well-regarded by his peers, so much so Chelsea star Kai Havertz labelled him better than two former Dortmund stars now plying their trade in the Premier League when speaking to Kicker in 2020.
Havertz said: “I wrote to him (Brandt) on Tuesday after the game. (Jadon) Sancho and (Erling) Haaland aren’t playing too badly either, but at the moment he’s the best player at (Borussia) Dortmund."
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