Arsenal to rival Newcastle for former Liverpool target

Cameron Smith

12 Nov 2023 17:49 GMT
3 min read

Arsenal and Newcastle United both want to sign Borussia Dortmund star and former Liverpool target Julian Brandt, according to reports.

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The Germany star has become the main man at the Signal Iduna Park since Jude Bellingham’s summer switch to Real Madrid and has six goals and five assists in 16 appearances this term.

His most recent goal came in Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Champions League in midweek, with Brandt impressing the Magpies during the game.

Now, they have identified Brandt as a transfer target, while Arsenal are also interested, as per The Mirror.

Neither Arsenal or Newcastle have lodged a bid for the Dortmund star yet, but both Premier League clubs are tracking him ahead of the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal paid €75 million to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea during the summer, but Brandt’s international team-mate has not hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium. However, it remains to be seen if the Gunners’ reported interest in Brandt is at all related to Havertz’s struggles.

Dortmund double their lead! 👀

Newcastle could be in trouble now as Julian Brandt finishes a brilliant counter attack to put the home side 2-0 up! 🟡⚫️#UCL pic.twitter.com/7ELBjduUY2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

Julian Brandt to Liverpool?

Liverpool’s summer acquisition of Hungary international Dominik Szoboszlai means that Brandt is unlikely to move to Anfield, but the German is a player that Jurgen Klopp greatly admires.

The Reds boss wanted to bring Brandt to Liverpool before Mohamed Salah joined the club, having been impressed with his form at Bayer Leverkusen.

Furthermore, Brandt has even admitted that he regrets not joining Liverpool. He told The Athletic in July: “I had that chance to take that next step to join Liverpool, but the time wasn't right for me. I was aware that they were also looking at Mo Salah at the time. It's a shame because I would have loved to play for Kloppo.”

Brandt’s current contract at Dortmund does not expire until 2026.