Arsenal Suffer Killer Blow in Julian Brandt Pursuit

Arsenal have suffered a blow in their January pursuit of Julian Brandt.

One of the names claimed to be in the running to solve the creative midfield concerns at Arsenal, Julian Brandt has become the talk of the town.

The German has had an underwhelming season at Borussia Dortmund off the back of a solid first campaign at the Westfalenstadion, losing his place in the side under both previous boss Lucien Favre and current manager Edin Terzić.

Earning just 955 minutes of playing time and used almost solely as an late substitute, his future has been unclear despite still being under contract to Dortmund until 2024. Talk of a permanent departure, and even a loan, has emerged as a result, with Arsenal the side most heavily linked.

Emile Smith Rowe has been in exemplary form since battling his way into the senior side, with a balancing act needed to ensure his development remains unspoiled while also providing him with the help he needs to bear the creative mantle.

Adept in a number of positions, ranging from a No. 8 to a centre-forward, Brandt has been earmarked as someone who could enter the fray and continue to improve under the right mentor. He’s still only 24 years old and boasts undoubted quality, even if his inconsistency in 2020/21 has damaged that reputation.

Arsenal have been tracking Brandt for quite some time which has helped spike the speculation, although their efforts have suffered a blow following Die Borussen’s recent 3-1 win over RB Leipzig.

As hard as a January deal would have been, it’s now been dealt a hammer blow.