Arsenal and Barcelona circle as Julian Brandt prepares for Borussia Dortmund exit

Julian Brandt’s decade-long Bundesliga chapter is drawing to a close, and two of Europe’s heavyweight names have already positioned themselves at the front of the queue. Sky Germany reports that both Arsenal and Barcelona are tracking the 29-year-old attacking midfielder, who will leave Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Confirmation arrived on Saturday evening, minutes after Dortmund’s 2-1 victory over 1.FC Köln, that Brandt has decided against signing an extension. The Germany international, capped once at senior level, has made no secret of his desire to test himself abroad, with Spain, Italy and England topping his personal shortlist. Sources close to the player note that his girlfriend’s Catalan roots have helped him brush up on his Spanish, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Barcelona’s burgeoning interest.

Inside the Camp Nou offices, sporting staff view Brandt as a low-risk, high-experience option who could slot into the rotation without upsetting the wage structure. Arsenal’s recruitment team, meanwhile, have been alerted to the same opportunity: a technically gifted, press-resistant midfielder available without a transfer fee. Yet at either destination Brandt is unlikely to be promised a starting berth; the role envisaged for him mirrors the squad status he currently occupies at Dortmund, where he has alternated between central creator and wide creator depending on match-day needs.

Dortmund, for their part, are wasting no time identifying successors. Sporting directors at the club’s Brackel training complex have briefed scouts to prioritise a versatile forward comfortable both as a traditional No. 10 and on either wing. One familiar name back on the whiteboard is Jadon Sancho. The 25-year-old, also set to become a free agent in June, is open to a return and willing to reduce his salary, but reservations persist over a potential third spell. Club officials are weighing whether Sancho’s recent form and his ability to adapt to new head coach Niko Kovac’s methods justify another reunion.

For Brandt, the next move is purely a footballing adventure. No release clauses, no buy-out negotiations—just a coveted Bosman opportunity that could see him swap the Yellow Wall for the Emirates or the Camp Nou by the start of next season.