Julian Brandt trains with Arsenal star amid Leeds talks
Julian Brandt, a Leeds United free-agent target, has been spotted training at Bayer Leverkusen alongside Arsenal striker Kai Havertz while his next club remains undecided. Leeds remain in talks, with Brandt's father visiting Thorp Arch, as Premier League interest grows.
Key Takeaways
- Julian Brandt is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund and has been pictured training at Bayer Leverkusen with Arsenal's Kai Havertz.
- Leeds United remain in talks; Brandt's father Jurgen visited Thorp Arch, though other clubs are also interested.
- Reports suggest Brandt is leaning toward a Premier League move, with Juventus and Roma previously linked on a free transfer.
- Leverkusen confirmed the pair trained individually at the club's facility, calling it great to have them back.
Where was Julian Brandt spotted training?
With no club pre-season to report for yet, Julian Brandt returned to Bayer Leverkusen — the club where he broke into senior football. Pictures posted to Leverkusen's official Instagram on Tuesday showed the 30-year-old working at the training facility alongside Arsenal striker Kai Havertz.
The pair spent three years together at Die Werkself between 2016 and 2019. In the comments on their own post, Leverkusen wrote: "Kai and Julian were in Leverkusen today to train individually. It was great to have you here!"
Brandt spent six years at the BayArena before a €25million move to Dortmund in 2019, making 215 appearances with 42 goals and 52 assists for Leverkusen.
Why does this matter for Leeds United?
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United remain in talks with Julian Brandt over a potential move. Brandt's father Jurgen was at Thorp Arch for talks, though Leeds are not the only club chasing the attacking midfielder.
Brandt left Dortmund at the end of last season as a free agent after seven seasons and more than 300 games across all competitions, including the Champions League. Reports elsewhere suggest he is leaning towards a Premier League destination.
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Could a Premier League free transfer still happen?
Italian reporting cited by Juvefc.com said Juventus and AS Roma had considered Brandt as a free transfer before being cut out of the running, with Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport indicating the midfielder was heading toward the Premier League.
At Dortmund, Brandt registered 57 goals and 70 assists in 307 games, earned a Bundesliga Team of the Season place in 2022/23, won a DFB-Pokal, and featured in a Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. Keeping fit at Leverkusen while clubs negotiate underlines how open — and competitive — his next step remains.