Deal confirmed as Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle learn attacker’s final decision after ‘astronomical’ offer wins out
A German attacker courted by Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal has put pen to paper after an ‘astronomical’ offer proved too good to ignore.
Borussia Dortmund are likely to hit the headlines this summer, though for reasons not entirely to their liking.
The future of Jude Bellingham is coming to a head with German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten recently reporting he’s made a decision on where he’ll play next season. Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid are his primary suitors.
Losing Bellingham – if indeed that’s what happens – will be a bitter pill to swallow for Dortmund. However, losing Julian Brandt in the same window too could be fatal to their Bundesliga chances next term.
Brandt, 26, has scored nine and provided five assists for Edin Terzic’s side this year. He’s featured in all but two of their Bundesliga clashes and has played a major role in Dortmund pushing Bayern Munich all the way this term. At present, Bayern’s lead is just two points.
However, Brandt’s contract was due to expire in the summer of 2024 and as such, an exit this summer made sense if he was unwilling to pen fresh terms.
To that end, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle had all been circling over a player who’d add creativity and end product to their attacking ranks.
Adding fuel to the fire was the comments of trusted BILD journalist, Christian Falk.
“He’s [Brandt] been dreaming for years of making it in the Premier League,” Falk wrote for Caught Offside in March.
“There has always been contact with Arsenal and we’ve heard that the club is interested again.
“His contract expires in 2024, so there has to be a decision, especially now that he’s found more consistency this term in comparison to recent years at Dortmund.
“Now, it could be the time to make the next step and follow [Kai] Havertz to England.
“He hasn’t got one club in his head at the moment, but Arsenal are of course more interested than ever before.”
Julian Brandt makes his decision
Fast forward to present day and Brandt’s future has been determined once and for all.
Rather than moving to England, Brandt has signed a new contract with Dortmund that’s extended his stay until 2026.
The news was confirmed by Dortmund’s official website, with reports in mid-March revealing the German side were preparing an ‘astronomical’ offer.
Clearly, Brandt is a player they were prepared to move heaven and earth to keep and their efforts have now been rewarded.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle, their search for attacking reinforcements will have to move elsewhere.