Arsenal closely monitoring Germany star after major transfer announcement | Football

Arsenal are reportedly mulling over a free transfer move for Julian Brandt after it was confirmed that the attacker will be leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

Brandt, 29, joined Dortmund in a €25million (£21.6m) deal with Bayer Leverkusen back in 2019 and has since gone on to make 298 appearances in all competitions for the club.

In that time, Brandt has racked up 56 goals and 69 assists for BVB, though the side’s DFB-Pokal triumph back in 2021 remains his only piece of silverware to date.

With a milestone 300th appearance for Dortmund on the horizon, Brandt will no doubt be looking to bow out on a high this summer after seven years of service at Westfalenstadion.

‘After open talks, we agreed that the contract that is set to expire would not be renewed,’ BVB sporting director Lars Ricken told Sky Deutschland following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Koln.

‘He has a few hundred games for Dortmund. I think we can only feel gratitude towards him.

‘He spent seven years with us and was sometimes viewed critically. Today, he set up another goal. I always appreciated his numbers.’

Ricken added: ‘He’ll turn 30 in a few weeks and we can look to move in a slightly new direction.

‘It can also be an opportunity for both sides.’

According to Sky Deutschland, Brandt’s decision is ‘concrete’ and will not be reversed, meaning he will depart the club as a free agent upon the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.

It’s claimed Brandt wants to seal a move overseas and Dortmund have already begun searching for a suitable replacement, with former fan favourite Jadon Sancho identified as a possible target.

The report adds that Italy, England, Spain all ‘appeal’ as destinations for Brandt.

The latter is viewed as an especially ‘likely candidate’ given the attacking midfielder-cum-winger has a Spanish girlfriend and is fluent in the language.

Arsenal are also said to be closely monitoring developments having been credited with a strong interest in the versatile Germany international in the past.

After splashing out in the region of £250m on new signings last summer, the Premier League leaders are believed to be scouring the market for out-of-contract talent to further bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad for next season.

It’s suggested Brandt may have to resign himself to being a bit-part squad player rather than a regular starter should he complete a switch to either the Camp Nou or the Emirates.

As yet, there have been no formal discussions from potential suitors. However, Brandt was the subject of ‘two concrete offers’ from the Premier League in January 2025.

Dortmund have held internal discussions regarding a proposed move to re-sign Sancho as Brandt’s successor, with the winger’s Manchester United contract set to expire in June.

There are, though, ‘critical voices’ within BVB’s hierarchy surrounding the England international’s potential to rediscover the kind of form that earned him a £73m move to Old Trafford four-and-a-half years ago.

Before the official confirmation of his impending departure, Brandt looked to reassure Dortmund fans that the speculation over his future would not ‘drag on’ and become a distraction.

‘This won’t drag on until June or July,’ the former Leverkusen man – who has been capped 48 times by Germany – explained last month.

‘That’s not my style. It’s a fundamental decision and it has to be carefully thought through.’

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