Atlético target Dortmund’s Brandt as Griezmann replacement - report
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 11: Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund reacts during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on April 11, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Hendrik Deckers/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images) Atlético de Madrid are targeting Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt on a free transfer this summer, according to Marca duo David Medina and Isaac Suárez , as the club sees the Germany international as a replacement for the outgoing Antonie Griezmann. Per Medina and Suarez, Atlético are “leading the race” to sign Brandt, who will leave Dortmund when his contract expires in June .
Sporting director Mateu Alemany is said to be spearheading the push for Brandt; Arsenal, set to face Atleti in the UEFA Champions League semifinals next week, reportedly are pursuing the 29-year-old as well. ⚠️𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐓 Coge fuerza Julian Brandt para firmar libre por el Atleti según Marca. Hace semanas, sacamos este perfil como el más similar a Griezmann con datos de @driblab .
🗣️Tiene 29 años y 11G esta temporada. ¿Te gustaría? pic.
twitter. com/BeC0jddDMa — Atlético Stats (@atletico_stats_) April 23, 2026 Brandt is a versatile right-footed attacker who can play in midfield or on either wing. He has scored seven goals and provided three assists across 1,364 minutes in the Bundesliga this season, while adding four more goals between the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Champions League.
However, Brandt this season has lost his place as a starter under head coach Niko Kovač. DAZN’s German football expert Andrés Weiss called him “the definition of inconsistency and frustration” in the two seasons since he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final in 2024. No hay nada que haya hecho Julian Brandt en los últimos 18 meses que justifique que un equipo de Champions (semifinalista, es más) le pague prima de fichaje + salario de estrella.