According to reports in Germany, Arsenal are seriously interested in a move for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt. Manager Mikel Arteta is looking to add more depth to his team’s midfield and frontline for next season and the German international has been shortlisted as a potential target.
Julian Brandt played for Wolfsburg’s U19 team and Bayer Leverkusen, before joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019. He has featured in 32 games for the Bundesliga side across all competitions this season, scoring 9 goals and creating 5 more (stats via Transfermarkt).
The attacking midfielder can play in multiple positions across the midfield and forward line – as a winger, in attacking midfield, and in central midfield. The 26-year-old can compete for the roles currently played by Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Granit Xhaka.
As reported by BILD (via Metro), Arsenal are seriously considering making a move for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt in the upcoming summer transfer. The North London side will almost certainly be playing in the Champions League next season and adding the German midfielder to their ranks could prove to be a great signing.
The 26-year-old is tied to Dortmund till the summer of 2024. BVB could be willing to sell the midfielder this summer rather than losing him for free next season. Therefore, the Gunners may be able to negotiate a lower fee with the Bundesliga side for the player.
The German publication suggests that the attacking midfielder may be available for a fee of around £25 million (£22.1m), which is a very justifiable amount for a player of his quality. His willingness to move to England is also good encouragement for Arteta’s side.
Arsenal are desperate to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt.
Tottenham are also interested.
(Source: BILD) pic.twitter.com/Fwho5ThmRq
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 4, 2023
However, Arsenal may face some competition for Julian Brandt. City rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also eyeing a move for the German attacker. Spurs boss Antonio Conte desperately lacks quality in attack due to the fluctuating form of Son Heung-Min and Richarlison. Unlike the Gunners, Spurs are in the hunt for a signing to walk into their starting line-up right now.
Player Analysis
Borussia Dortmund signed Julian Brandt from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 for a fee of around €25m. Since joining BVB, the German international has made 159 appearances, scoring 29 goals and assisting another 30 in the process.
The 26-year-old attacker has also made 39 appearances for the German National team, scoring 3 goals and assisting 3 more. He was a part of the national squad in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Julian Brandt would be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s system. He is good in possession and very influential in the middle and final-third of the field. He is also a great creator and has an impeccable eye for through balls or crosses into the box. He is also a handy option for set-pieces and corner-kicks.
Julian Brandt is the one. pic.twitter.com/eDwVgXKLEX
— (@Charlieszzz) June 7, 2021
However, the former Leverkusen man does not offer the same security as Granit Xhaka from the midfield. While the former would add more value in the final-third than the 30-year-old Swiss, Brandt’s inclusion in the team would change the dynamics of the team in the left half space. This could put more stress on the left-back in defensive transitions.
However, in possession, the German could help take the Gunners to the next level. Currently, Odegaard and Saka are Arsenal’s primary creators, and both play down the right. Brandt could be useful coming in from the left to add a different dimension to the team’s attack.
Read More:
- Arsenal Planning to Lodge Summer Bid for €70m Rated Chelsea Forward, Arteta Keen to Re-unite With Winger
- Arsenal Preparing Contract Offer for Soon-to-be Free Agent Real Madrid Forward, Arteta Very Keen on Signing Winger This Summer
- Here are The Five Crucial Remaining Premier League Fixtures That Arsenal Need to Watch out For
Verdict
Julian Brandt would represent yet another smart signing for Arsenal at the right price. However, it would be challenging for Arteta to sort out the team dynamics with a player like him in the mix. With Martinelli, Jesus, Saka, Xhaka, Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard, Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson in contention for similar positions in the team, the Spaniard will have to rotate effectively to keep the entire squad happy.
With a well-thought-out spending strategy in place, the Gunners could look to make more investments in other positions too. While the attack looks stacked, they may be tempted to rope in a more defensive profile to compete with Xhaka, and another left-back if Kieran Tierney leaves.
What are your thoughts on Julian Brandt? Would you like to see him at the Emirates? Let us know in the comments.
Follow AD for the Latest Transfer Updates for Arsenal.
The post Arsenal Mark €28m Rated German Attacking Midfielder as a Serious Summer Target, Mikel Arteta Looking to Add Depth to the Squad appeared first on Arsedevils.
