The Daily Bee (December 28, 2020): Bizarre Erling Haaland Transfer Rumors, and Arsenal Reportedly Chasing Julian Brandt

Good morning, Fear the Wall.

The January transfer window is only a few days away, and rumors are beginning to circulate about various potential moves that may involve Borussia Dortmund. Here are a few of the big ones:

Arsenal Chasing Julian Brandt?

There are reports from several credible news outlets, including NBC Sports and the Athletic (via David Ornstein), that Arsenal are very interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt. According to Ornstein, Arsenal were originally chasing Dominik Szoboszlai, but have switched focus towards Brandt after the former chose to move to RB Leipzig.

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

As Borussia Dortmund fans will know, Julian Brandt has been in poor form almost all year. Despite playing almost 600 minutes in the Bundesliga, Brandt has registered a single measly assist. If Arsenal are indeed chasing Brandt, they may be banking on his dip in form being temporary. If Mikel Arteta is able to purchase Brandt for a relatively low fee and then rehabilitate him back to the level of form he showed at Bayer Leverkusen, then he could be a steal.

Real Madrid, Chelsea After Erling Haaland?

You guys better get used to this. For every day that Erling Haaland remains in a BVB shirt, there will be a new rumor about how [insert club of the day] is preparing a nine-digit transfer fee for Borussia Dortmund’s young superstar. Calcio Mercato and Sky Sports Italia have reported that Real Madrid and Chelsea are both preparing to purchase Erling Haaland.

The Calcio Mercato report seems especially batty: according to the report, Madrid would pay Haaland’s €75 million release clause by paying two installments of €25 million swapping Juka Jovic, who Madrid value at €30. There are a few issues with this. First, I was not aware that a player’s supposed transfer value can be used to meet the threshold for a release clause. Second, even if RM were indeed able to use Jovic to meet Haaland’s release clause, that release clause doesn’t activate until the Summer of 2022 anyway. All in all, I think we can downplay this rumor.

I’m similarly skeptic of Haaland’s reported move to Chelsea. The Blues just dumped several hundred million pounds on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech, so it seems far-fetched that they would open up their pockets again for Haaland. He would also be Chelsea’s 4th natural striker, aside Timo Werner, Olivier Giroud, and Tammy Abraham.

While I’m sure many clubs in Europe would be willing to empty their coffers for Erling Haaland, these two rumors in particular leave me unconvinced. Haaland is yet to play a full season with Borussia Dortmund, and I think he’ll want to stay on for at least a little longer.

The Daily Buzz

If Borussia Dortmund were offered €30 million or so for Julian Brandt, would you take the offer?