Arsenal have once again been linked with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt as transfer expert Gianluca di Marzio has admitted that the German is ‘defnitely an option’ for the Gunners this summer.
Currently eight points clear atop the Premier League, Mikel Arteta and his staff’s attention will already be turning towards summer business, with a central midfielder thought to be top of their agenda.
It is thought that Declan Rice is their no.1 target in that position, while they also hold interest in both Fabri Veiga and Moises Caicedo, and even saw three bids turned down for the Brighton man in the dying days of the January transfer window.
However, another area that they will be looking to improve is in providing backup for Bukayo Saka, who has started each of Arsenal’s 28 Premier League games this season.
And one possibility for that role is Brandt, who has been linked with a move to north London summer upon summer in recent years.
As per Di Marzio, he remains a target, and Arteta and co. are ‘following him closely’ as he stars for Dortmund.
I’m not 100% sure they’re going to try and get him now, but he’s definitely on the list.”
Valued at 28m euros by transfermarkt, Brandt has contributed eight goals and four assists for Dortmund this season as he helps them challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title.
He would mark a strong departure from the recent transfer policy of the Gunners, which has been to sign players under 25, while he would likely be asked to play a wider role for the Champions in wait, with Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard, and Emile Smith Rowe all currently available as central options in north London.
