Arsenal seriously looking at €25m deal after being priced out of Odegaard transfer

Arsenal are reportedly looking into the signing of Julian Brandt once again after fears they may be priced out of a move for Martin Odegaard.

Borussia Dortmund schemer Brandt is a familiar name to Arsenal fans. The 24-year-old has been a reported target for the Gunners for a number of years and this year has been no different. There was speculation heading into the winter transfer window that Brandt could end up at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta was looked for more creativity and the German midfielder was one of their options.

However, Dortmund refused to entertain a January sale and Arsenal switched their focus to signing Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid.

“A name is constantly being mentioned that actually doesn’t play a role in our deliberations at the moment. That should come to an end,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said in December.

“I can only repeat; there is not even the slightest bit of anything on the table.

“We can’t do anything if rumours are constantly being spread that are not true.”

Odegaard meanwhile has been a hit for Arteta. The Dane has made 14 appearances, scoring twice and has said he is happy at The Emirates.

“I’m really happy. Everything is good here at the club,” he told the Premier League. “I’ve felt at home since the first day, I get on really well with my team-mates and everyone at the club. I feel really good.”

However, Bild suggest the player’s price maybe beyond Arsenal. Odegaard still has two years left on his Real contract and the LaLiga side are in a strong position, knowing that Arteta wants to sign him.

The German outlet though, via a video from Christian Falk, report that Arteta does have other options. And one of those is to revive their interest in Brandt.

Falk says Arsenal are looking for a replacement for Odegaard and Brandt is the man they want with a fee of €25m being mentioned.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man has made 16 Bundesliga starts this season. He has been in and out of the team under interim coach Edin Terzic.

Marco Rose will replace Terzic in the summer and it’s not known what his stance will be on Brandt. The player has three years to run on his contract in Dortmund.

Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Berge future latest

Meanwhile, the future of Arsenal target Sander Berge has been discussed at Sheffield United.

Berge though has been missing since December after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester United. He is on the mend and Paul Heckingbottom has been asked about the midfielder’s future.

Interim boss Heckingbottom, via The Star said: “Sander hasn’t spoken about the future. If he is here, that will be out of my hands.

“But I’m expecting him (to remain with United), yes. He’s contracted to us, don’t forget that, and what a player he would be to help us get back.

“The only thing Sander is bothered about at the moment is getting fit, that’s what’s driving him on,” Heckingbottom said. “He’s had a good 10 days or so (of training) now and is getting better and better. It’s just a case of building him up.

“It might not be up to us, what happens, and it might not even be up to him,” Heckingbottom added. “What I do know, having worked with him, is that he’s a really top player and a very driven one too. Don’t be confused by his nice smile and personality. He wants to be the very best player he can be.”

READ MORE: Souness claims classy Arsenal man compares to Man Utd legend