Arsenal urged to avoid €40m Tottenham target as ideal transfer ‘priority’ will replace two players

Arsenal have been told that they should avoid signing Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt amid reports linking him with Tottenham Hotspur.

This comes amid his superb performances in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund. He has grabbed eight goals and four assists in 26 league outings this term.

Brandt is under contract until 2026 and transfermarkt value him at €40m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

There is no doubt that he would add more quality to Arsenal’s squad, but they already have plenty of options in attacking midfield. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have all been superb this season.

Ex-Gunners player Mikael Silvestre thinks signing Brandt should not be a “priority” for his former club.

“I don’t think it’s a necessity for Arsenal to look for a player like Julian Brandt,” Silvestre told bettingexpert.

“You’ve got players at Arsenal already doing that job really well. You’ve got Emile Smith-Rowe in the reserves as well.

“Unless they want to play with two number 10s, but yeah I don’t think he’s a priority for next season.”

Instead of Brandt, Arsenal are likely to target a more defensive-minded midfielder this summer and West Ham United’s Declan Rice is believed to be their preferred option in that position.

”We all know he needs to go to a top club. I can’t see him going outside of England, but he should go to a top-three or top-two club.

“I’d like to see Declan at Arsenal to be honest – I’m not an Arsenal fan but I like the way they’re playing at the minute.

“The way Mikel Arteta has them playing and the young lads coming through – you see the team and the average age is incredible.”

Silvestre thinks Arsenal “need competition” for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka as Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira are not currently the answer.

“In midfield, to cover Partey and Xhaka, because Elneny got injured. I think those two need competition,” Silvestre added.

“They will be playing in the Champions League next season so I think they need someone there. That would be the priority.

“Lokonga, I’m not sure he’s ready. Fabio Vieira, I don’t think he’s also pushing hard enough.

“From one season to another, things change and players step up. Also it was Vieira’s first season for Arsenal, first in the Premier League. So maybe they’ll come back strong and do the job for Mikel in midfield.”