Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Harry Wilson on a free transfer, with the move expected to be completed this week. While that deal edges towards the finish line, Daniel Farke and the recruitment team continue to push for another major addition in attack by pursuing experienced German playmaker Julian Brandt.
The 30-year-old became available after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired at the end of June, making him one of the most attractive free agents on the market. Leeds have identified him as a player capable of adding creativity, experience and quality in the final third ahead of the new Premier League season.
Farke is believed to be a long-time admirer of Brandt and sees him as someone who could immediately improve Leeds’ attacking options. The Whites have spent recent weeks holding discussions with the player’s representatives, hoping to convince him that Elland Road is the right destination for the next chapter of his career.
However, Leeds have encountered a significant obstacle that threatens to derail the move.
According to reports from German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten, via Sport.de, Brandt’s priority is to join a club competing in European football next season. Having spent much of his career playing in the Champions League and Europa League, the midfielder is reluctant to give up that level of competition despite leaving Dortmund.
That preference places Leeds at a disadvantage. Although they secured Premier League survival with a 14th-place finish last season, they are not competing in Europe and cannot promise continental football in the immediate future. The club’s primary objective remains establishing themselves as a consistent Premier League side before targeting qualification for European competitions.
Despite that setback, Leeds have not ended their pursuit.
Club officials remain in regular contact with Brandt’s camp and continue to present the opportunity of playing in the Premier League as a major attraction. The English top flight has long appealed to the German international, who has never played in England despite previously attracting interest from top Premier League clubs earlier in his career.
Leeds believe the chance to work under Farke, combined with the challenge of becoming a key figure in an ambitious Premier League project, could still persuade Brandt to choose Elland Road over clubs offering European football.
The challenge, however, remains considerable.
Brandt is attracting interest from several clubs that can offer Champions League football immediately, giving Leeds strong competition in the race for his signature. Those clubs can provide the level of European competition the midfielder reportedly wants to continue playing in after leaving Dortmund.
Even so, Leeds remain optimistic that their project, the appeal of the Premier League and the opportunity to become a central figure in Farke’s plans could yet tip the balance in their favour.
For now, the Whites remain firmly in the race, but they know completing a deal for Brandt will require overcoming one of the biggest hurdles they have faced in this summer’s transfer window.
