Arteta now keen to bring Kai Havertz’s £22m best friend to Arsenal in January

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Arsenal are weighing up a move for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal are keen to secure the services of Julian Brandt, who is also a target for Liverpool and Newcastle United. 

Brandt has established himself as a star for Borussia Dortmund, since his £22 million arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019. The 27-year-old has made a strong start to the current Bundesliga campaign, too. So far this season, Brandt has racked up six goals and five assists across sixteen appearances in all competitions. 

Borussia Dortmund would be reluctant to let Brandt go, especially in the January transfer window, as per the aforementioned report. However, the Gunners are still keeping tabs on the player and considering a bid.

Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt could link up again at Arsenal

Brandt would be a useful addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad. He has the versatility to play on either flank well as in a central attacking-midfield role. As such, the 45-cap Germany international would be able to compete for minutes with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, amongst others. 

Havertz, for his part, may well welcome having Brandt to compete with at the Emirates Stadium. As Brandt has revealed in an interview with The Athletic, he is best friends with the Arsenal man and considers him to be a “rare talent.” Havertz also holds Brandt in high regard, too.

Havertz and Brandt were teammates for a time at Bayer Leverkusien, and could now be in line for a reunion in north London. Whilst this link up alone would not be enough to justify Arsenal signing the player, Havertz could benefit from another friendly face at London Colney, as he has struggled to settle at the club since his arrival in the recent summer transfer window. 

As things stand, though, a deal to bring Brandt to Arsenal seems to be a long way off.