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Arsenal plotting bargain swoop to sign Julian Brandt and Leon Goretzka

By on March 13, 2026

Arsenal are plotting a bargain double swoop to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt and Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on free transfers next summer, according to Tuttojuve.

The Gunners reportedly explored moves for a new midfielder in the recently concluded winter transfer window in the wake of Mikel Merino’s season-ending injury.

However, no move materialised, with several reputable journalists shutting down rumours of a reported move for Newcastle United’s midfielder Sandro Tonali.

In recent weeks, speculation has grown over the future of club captain Martin Ødegaard, who has struggled with niggling injury concerns this campaign, with a potential departure not entirely ruled out.

In addition, the Gunners were the league’s second-highest spenders without sanctioning much outgoing, thus making it necessary next summer to balance their books, so it won’t be surprising if there’s a big-money departure for the first time since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s club-record sale to Liverpool in 2017.

Plans are also being made for potential incomings in the midfield; despite the abundance of options, it remains a focus for reinforcement when the transfer window opens.

Double swoop

Now, according to Tuttojuve, Arsenal are plotting a double swoop to sign Brandt and Goretzka on bargain free transfers when their respective deals at Dortmund and Bayern run out at the end of the season.

For Goretzka, the 31-year-old, valued at £12m by Transfermarkt, has indicated his desire to try a new challenge abroad, and a Premier League move is ‘appealing’, with the Gunners now poised to make a formal move for the midfielder who is also of keen interest to Newcastle United, according to the report.

On the other hand, the Italian outlet adds that Mikel Arteta needs players with European experience to reinforce his squad, and Arsenal’s project puts them ahead of rivals such as Aston Villa, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona in the race for Brandt, who is valued at £17m by Transfermarkt.

Although Arsenal have Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Christian Nørgaard as central midfield options — as well as Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze in attacking midfield for next season — competing on all fronts, both domestically and in Europe, means Mikel Arteta could still make use of an additional option to help prevent injuries and fatigue as they look to extend their dominance beyond this season.