Arsenal have started drawing up plans for the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to add to even more depth to a squad that's currently fighting on all fronts
COLOGNE, GERMANY - MARCH 7: Julian Brandt during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Kln and Borussia Dortmund at RheinEnergieStadion on March 7, 2026 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Vitalii Kliuiev/Getty Images)
Julian Brandt will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer(Image: Vitalii Kliuiev/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Julian Brandt on a free transfer. It was confirmed on Saturday that Brandt, 29, will leave Borussia Dortmund upon the expiry of his contract in June.
His availability has alerted several clubs, with Aston Villa among those to be linked to the attacking midfielder. Now it's emerged that Arsenal have entered the frame.
Sky Germany claim that Brandt wants to move abroad for the first time in his career and Arsenal are interested. But Mikel Arteta would need to convince the player to snub Barcelona, who are also reportedly keen.
The Dortmund star is said to be fluent in Spanish and has a Catalan girlfriend, making the idea of a switch to Barca - where he'd work under ex-Germany manager Hansi Flick - particularly appealing. Arsenal could try matching Brandt's €8million (£6.9m) salary as well as offering him a significant signing-on bonus.
As things stand, Arsenal and Barcelona are yet to approach to the German's agent and father, Jurgen. Brandt was the subject of bids from two unnamed English clubs in the January transfer window, both of which Dortmund turned down as they remained hopeful of convincing him to sign a new contract.
The Bundesliga giants wanted the 29-year-old to lower his salary in a new deal. Brandt wasn't interested, though, as confirmed by Dortmund's CEO of sport, Lars Ricken, following Saturday's 2-1 win away to Koln.
"There were open discussions, and both sides agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended," Ricken explained post-match. "He's played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him.
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 7: Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund at Volkswagen Arena on February 7, 2026 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
Barcelona are reportedly Julian Brandt's first choice(Image: Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
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"He played for us for seven years. He was also viewed critically at times. He provided another assist today. I believe he'll be 30 in a few weeks - we can reassess things. So, this could be an opportunity for both sides.
"We have ultimately reached an agreement and I believe we parted with a great deal of respect. But it’s also another opportunity for both of us."
Brandt joined Dortmund from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 and helped the club win the DFB-Pokal in his second season. He was also part of Dortmund's squad that reached the 2024 Champions League final.