Arsenal’s hot pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund playmaker Julian Brandt has dealt a massive blow, according to reports in Germany.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has set his sights on the highly-rated Julian Brandt as he looks to bolster his squad in the January transfer window. The Gunners have endured a horrendous start to this Premier League campaign. Despite managing back-to-back league victories, the Londoners remain in the bottom half of the table.
Changes are needed if not necessary. Therefore, the Arsenal recruiting team has been tasked with finding top-class additions this winter. Though the English powerhouse showed a genuine interest in bringing in Lyon’s Houssem Aouar last summer, that plan seems to have faded away by now.
Various reports across Europe have recently named Julian Brandt as the number one candidate to replace the outgoing Mesut Ozil at the Emirates. The German has reportedly surpassed Aouar in Arteta’s shopping list despite a torrid first half of the Bundesliga season. Indeed, it’s been an utterly underwhelming half-season for the 24-year-old, who has registered just a single assist in 13 top-flight appearances for Die Borussen.
Yet, there’s no doubt that Brandt possesses the quality and tactical intelligence to fit into Arteta’s short-passage system. His impeccable vision and pinpoint passing make him a perfect heir of Ozil, who could be on his way out of London as early as this month. Some reports have even got so far as to claim Arsenal have already launched their first offer for the German ace.
However, Borussia Dortmund technical director Michael Zorc has now played down such speculations.
“I’ve read that too. I can’t say more about it. Nobody answered. There is nothing on the table,” Zorc told German outlet Kicker.
Still, Brandt’s inability to emulate the form seen during his stint at Bayer Leverkusen could prompt his Signal Iduna Park exit. Arsenal remain vigilant and could step up their interest in case they manage to offload their deadweight first. Arteta himself has recently admitted the club will be looking to get rid of the fringe players to make room for new arrivals.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Borussia Dortmund
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
