Report: Edu faces £21.5m fee for Arsenal-linked gem once tipped for Ballon d’Or contention

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Borussia Dortmund are willing to sanction a season-long loan transfer for Arsenal and Lazio target Julian Brandt this summer, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Lazio are exploring a move to sign Brandt in the off-season as they prepare for life beyond Joaquin Correa. Paris Saint-Germain want the forward in France, but his exit is not the only criteria the Biancocelesti need to meet.

TuttoMercatoWEB also cited Arsenal and Tottenham as suitors for Correa, and noted Lazio were lining Brandt up as his replacement. But Kicker claimed in May that Arsenal had put Brandt on their shopping list after missing out in January.

Arsenal could now advance their interest in Brandt and bring the Borussia Dortmund star to the Emirates Stadium on loan this summer. His Bundesliga side will sanction a temporary move for the 25-year-old, as long as the deal carries an obligation to buy.

BVB value Brandt at around €25-30m (£21.5-26m). The German outfit would also stipulate that the fee must be paid at the end of the season without constraints. Lazio were preparing an offer that included an obligation dependent on qualifying for the Champions League.

The arrival of Marco Rose to the Dortmund held could also hinder Arsenal and Lazio in any pursuit. Brandt sought a move away from the Westfalenstadion under Lucien Favre but may seek a fresh start in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Arsenal will admire Dortmund loan option for Brandt

Arsenal will likely admire Dortmund offering a loan option to sign Brandt after setting Edu a £21.5m asking price. The chance to defer payment for 12-months will allow the Gunners’ Technical Director the chance to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s ranks even more so this summer.

Ben White is edging closer to a £50m move to Arsenal after Brighton rejected a £40m bid, per Sky Sports. The Gunners also want Lille’s Renato Sanches, per 90min, plus their interest in Correa.

Signing all three after bidding €17.5m (£15m) for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga, per Fabrizio Romano, could make this a very expensive summer for Edu. And thus Arsenal beating Lazio to Brandt – a player Bundesliga.com tipped to one day contend for the Ballon d’Or – on loan makes a lot of sense as Arteta strives to rebuild.