Leeds eye Brandt to revive creative spark in midfield

Leeds United are targeting Julian Brandt, the 30‑year‑old who left Borussia Dortmund after seven seasons at the end of last season, to inject creativity into a midfield that has lacked a risk‑taking playmaker in the Premier League and has been linked with a move to the Whites.

Jurgen Koers, editor of Ruhr Nachrichten, has followed Brandt’s time at Borussia Dortmund for a long time. He told BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope that Brandt is a special player because the skill set that he has – technical quality, ball control, passing range, and also scoring and assisting – is rare. "He's a special player because the skill set that he has - technical quality, ball control, passing range, and also scoring and assisting - is rare," Koers said.

Koers believes Brandt belongs among Germany's top five offensive midfielders. He notes that despite these gifts, Brandt never made a big, big breakthrough compared with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. "Brandt never really performed for the national team as well as he could do considering the abilities he has," he added.

Koers highlights Brandt's work rate, covering a lot of metres in every game. He says Brandt's strength is to see gaps no‑one else can see and find small spaces between the lines to move the ball with one touch and create chances. "He covers a lot of metres in every game but his strength is to see gaps no-one else can see and find small spaces between the lines to move the ball with one touch and create chances," Koers explained.

The potential move to Leeds United remains a rumor, with no contract or fee disclosed. Leeds would need to negotiate with Borussia Dortmund and the player before any deal materialises. A transfer would see Brandt return to the Premier League after his stint in Germany.