Arsenal or Barcelona? Julian Brandt has an easy choice

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt is attracting interest from Arsenal and Barcelona following the confirmation that he will become a free agent this summer.

BVB CEO Lars Ricken announced on Saturday, following a 2-1 win over Koln, that the Germany international’s expiring contract would not be extended, offering both parties the opportunity to “try something new.”

Brandt, who previously formed a hugely exciting attacking partnership with Kai Havertz at Bayer Leverkusen, turned down Premier League interest to join Borussia Dortmund in 2019. Seven years on, the 29-year-old will leave the club with 300 appearances to his name.

Despite being an eminently talented player, Brandt is unlikely to go down as a genuine club legend. He won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and reached the Champions League final in 2024, but he has struggled to consistently perform to the best of his abilities.

When Dortmund signed him for a hefty €25 million, they thought they were getting a game-changer. However, the attacking midfielder never quite lived up to expectations. He has been solid but unspectacular.

Arsenal or Barcelona?

According to Sky Germany, various clubs are showing an interest in Brandt, who will turn 30 in May. Notably, Arsenal and Barcelona are said to be mulling over a potential move, viewing him as a low-cost option to add squad depth.

No concrete talks have as yet taken place with potential suitors, but it is understood that Brandt has recently changed his stance on playing abroad. While he was previously keen to remain in Germany, he is now looking to experience something new.

Julian Brandt’s (yellow) development compared to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard (blue)

The Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A all appeal to him. He certainly has the skill set to thrive in Spain and Italy, and the former in particular is a very interesting option for personal reasons.

Though Brandt keeps his private life out of the public eye, it is believed that his current partner is from Catalunya and that he has been learning Spanish for a while because of her. A move to Barcelona to link up with compatriot Hansi Flick, therefore, seems like a no-brainer.

However, there is also a strong case to be made for Arsenal. According to data from analytics firm SciSports, the Gunners are a strong fit for Brandt, and a move would allow him to reignite the “Bravertz” bromance with Havertz.

SciSports analyses various factors such as style of play, potential development and prospective playing time to calculate a Club Fit rating. Arsenal clock in at a solid 74 out of 100, alongside Juventus and ahead of Barcelona with 66. Only Newcastle (78) and Inter (77) are believed to be better destinations for the Dortmund star.

Should it come down to Arsenal or Barcelona, it will be an easy choice for Brandt, depending on his priorities: it should be Barcelona for personal and Arsenal for sporting reasons.

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