Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has claimed that Newcastle United target Julian Brandt is not for sale just days after he was linked to the club.
Brandt impressed in during Newcastle’s Champions League defeat against Dortmund in which he netted the second goal to kill the game off.
A recent report from the Daily Mirror suggested that Newcastle were set to rival Arsenal for the winger, but Kehl has since put these rumours to bed when speaking to BILD, claiming that any potential deal is off the table.
Kehl claims Brandt is not for sale amid Newcastle interest
Newcastle had been linked with the 27-year-old days after facing him at the Signal Iduna Park, with the recruitment team clearly impressed with his attacking output.
Brandt is having a very good season as one of Dortmund’s biggest stars having recorded eight goals and assists in his 11 Bundesliga matches this season. He would have been an idea candidate to have on the right side of Newcastle’s attack, making up a terrifyingly quick front three of Brandt, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
The £22m signing was brought in during the summer of 2019 and has gone on to play almost 200 games for the German side, becoming an integral part of their team and their identity.
Speaking to BILD, Kehl said: “We didn’t extend Julian Brandt’s contract until 2026 in April for nothing. He is a very important part of our team. That’s why a transfer is absolutely out of the question!”
Brandt is an ‘outstanding’ talent
Brandt has previously been tracked by some top European teams and for good reason. The attacker is quick with the ball and can drive his team up the field, making him the perfect player for a counter-attacking side.
His teammate Nico Schlotterbeck labelled him as one of Dortmund’s best players last season while Kehl has admired the German international’s development.
On Brandt, Schlotterbeck said: “Jule, along with Jude Bellingham, has been our standout player so far this season. He’s having an outstanding season.”
Kehl then added: “Julian has made some great strides in his development. He is much more stable, robust and present. We always knew that he was a great football player. Now he’s showing it over a sustained period of time.”
It’s clear that Newcastle won’t be able to persuade Dortmund to let go of Brandt in January, but that’s not to say that they won’t return for him in the summer.
The winger would surely be available for the right price, it all depends on how far Newcastle are willing to go to bring him in.
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