Borussia Dortmund are fretting over Julian Brandt. The German has been a pivotal figure in their squad this season but his future remains up in the air.
Given his qualities on the field and relatively younger age - he is 29 and currently in his prime - the club is eager to tie him down to a new contract.
His current terms end this summer following which the midfield phenom will be a free agent, although talks of an extension have been going on for quite some time now.
After netting a goal in their late win over Wolfsburg on Saturday, the 29-year-old was questioned on his future again in which he appeared undecided. He said:
"“It’s clear that we’re talking to each other. That has already happened, but so far there’s nothing new. It’s neither the case that we’re close to an agreement nor that anything has been decided.”"said Brandt
According to reports, Brandt was offered a contract in November, but he still hasn't committed but reassured that he will make a decision before June/July after careful though. The former Bayer Leverkusen star added:
"“To be honest, I’m also taking a bit of time. But this won’t drag on until June or July. That’s not my style. It’s a fundamental decision and it has to be carefully thought through.""added Brandt
After five years at Leverkusen during which he also established himself among the best young players, Brandt moved to Dortmund in 2019 after the club activated his release clause set at €25 million.
Since then, the German international has only grown further with a series of talismanic displays for Der BVB, where he is key to pulling strings in midfield with his impeccable passing range, match-reading ability and eye for goal.
Brandt has amassed 292 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions, scoring 56 goals while assisting another 68 - a good record for a midfielder by all accounts. During this time, he also won the 2020-21 DFB-Pokal while picking up the runners-up medal in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League season.
Dortmund's favorite opener
Of his six goals in the Bundesliga this season, Brandt's four have been the match opener - no other player has scored more opening goals in the competition so far, not even Bayern Munich ace Harry Kane.
Moreover, with his strike on Saturday, Brandt has now amassed more goals than what he managed in the entirety of last season (5). Only in the 2022-23 season has the German managed to net more in the Bundesliga after 21 matchdays (7 goals).