Versatile Borussia Dortmund forward Julian Brandt has caught attention from Milan, who are hunting down the new playmaker. According to Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, the Rossoneri are entertaining the prospect of submitting a bid for the German talent to replace Hakan Calhanoglu.
Dortmund triggered Brandt’s €25million release clause to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2019 on a five-year deal. However, the versatile forward has blown hot and cold at the Signal Iduna Park, struggling to establish himself as a permanent first-team fixture.
The 25-year-old returned 3 goals and 2 assists from 31 Bundesliga appearances last season, recording just 17 top-flight starts under Lucien Favre and Edin Terzic. After failing to live up to expectations during his two-year stint in North Rhine-Westphalia, the German playmaker could hit the road this summer.
Arsenal and several other Premier League clubs have registered an interest in Brandt, but Milan could be a surprise package in the transfer race. Desperate to replace Calhanoglu, the Rossoneri are scouring the European market for potential reinforcements, and the German has emerged as a suitable candidate.
CSKA Moscow star Nikola Vlasic looked to be the favorite to take Calhanoglu’s place at the San Siro. However, Paolo Maldini keeps his eyes peeled for other opportunities in the market, and Brandt ticks all the boxes for the type of player he is looking to recruit.
With Dortmund open to letting their out-of-sorts playmaker leave the club this summer, Milan could negotiate Brandt’s arrival on favorable terms. Given the Serie A side’s financial state, Maldini cannot spend a fortune on a single player as Stefano Pioli needs to strengthen several squad areas across the pitch.
A loan with an obligation to buy could be the deal structure that would facilitate Brandt’s move to Italy.