Arsenal are set to compete with Atletico Madrid for the signature of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt, who will be available on a free transfer this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Champions League Rivals Also Transfer Rivals
Both clubs are scheduled to face each other in the Champions League semi-finals over the next two weeks, with a place in the final in Budapest at stake. However, they are also expected to be direct competitors in the transfer market as they pursue the Germany international.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Atletico's sporting director Mateu Alemany has been closely monitoring Brandt as the club looks to replace the departing Antoine Griezmann. Brandt, who has recorded ten goal involvements in 25 Bundesliga appearances this season, is also attracting interest from Arsenal ahead of what is expected to be a crucial summer transfer window for the Gunners.
Brandt's Dortmund Career Nearing End
Brandt joined Dortmund from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 but is set to leave after seven years, having failed to agree on a new contract. Dortmund's managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, confirmed the decision last month.
'After open talks, we agreed that the contract that is set to expire would not be renewed,' Ricken told Sky Germany. '[He has] played a few hundred games for Borussia 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. He'll turn 30 in a few weeks, and we can look to move in a slightly new direction — so it can also be an opportunity for both sides.'
Brandt Open to Options
Speaking earlier this month, Brandt indicated he has several possibilities for his next move and did not rule out staying in the Bundesliga. 'Let yourself be surprised. There are many ideas, not every idea is good, but there are many ideas,' Brandt told Sky Germany. 'In principle, I'm not ruling anything out. But there are things I prefer, and there are things I currently find harder to imagine. As I said: there are one or two ideas, but everything in due course.'
