Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt is all set to leave the club after his contract expires this season, the Bundesliga side has confirmed.
The player and the BVB failed to come to an agreement during contract negotiations as Brandt will now leave as a free agent this summer.
Premier League sides like Newcastle United and Aston Villa have their sights on the star right now as they are reportedly interested in bringing him to English top-flight.
Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly monitoring the midfielder too but are holding off all serious talks until their survival in the first division is confirmed.
Brandt's future had been under speculation for a few months now with his contract ending this summer, but it has now come to a conclusion that most Dortmund fans won't be happy with.
The 29-year-old had been a key figure in their squad since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019, amassing almost 300 appearances in all competitions and scoring 56 goals.
This season, he's netted 10 times - only striker Serhou Guirassy has bagged more than him in the squad - while chipping in with four more assists, a testament to his importance in the side.
His departure would naturally leave a massive void that Dortmund won't be able to fill easily, given the player's quality and influence on the squad over the years.
Moreover, he's a versatile player who can operate as a No.10 on either wing or as a deep-lying playmaker too. Brandt is also adept at set-pieces having made some precise deliveries leading to goals, especially this season.
The midfielder is also 29 and currently in the prime of his career, as his departure could spark a competition between clubs around Europe with a few more expressing interest during the summer.
That leaves Dortmund with the minumental task of filling his boots next season as there's no player in their current squad who could effectively take over the playmaking mantle from him.
Given their incredible track record with astute transfers, no one doubts the club's ability to rope in a player of his ilk, but there's no clear name in the hat yet.
And Brandt isn't the only big gun heading through the Signal Iduna Park exit door, Nico Schlotterbeck's future is also undecided as the player has been linked to Real Madrid.
With Dortmund most likely to finish the season trophyless, it could prompt the defender to jump ships as Champions League football alone may not be enough incentive to continue.