Rumour Mongering: Reds Battle Juventus and Madrid for €25M Brandt

The young star has a bargain release clause that goes into effect if Leverkusen don’t make the top four.

Back in 2017, Liverpool tried to sign Julian Brandt from Bayer Leverkusen, but the now 22-year-old attacker chose to stay in Germany for the sake of his development. Two years later and he could be back on the Reds’ shopping list.

So say Bild, who today claim that three of Europe’s biggest clubs are lining up to trigger a €25M release clause that would become active if Leverkusen fail to finish in the top four this season. Currently, they’re in eighth and seven points out.

With five games left to play and four clubs they have to leapfrog to make it, it’s a fairly safe assumption that they won’t be playing in the Champions League next season. Which means it’s a fairly safe assumption Brandt would cost €25M.

For a player of his talents and in his age bracket, it’s a steal. Which means it’s hardly a surprise that Bild are listing Liverpool, Juventus, and Real Madrid as the three big clubs who will all be looking to sign Brandt come the summer.

Bild’s headline pitches Juventus as the current frontrunners, though all three clubs are said to be serious contenders for his services. It’s also possible that Brandt, having shown he values playing time previously, could make another choice.

The player turned down Liverpool in 2017—and, when he did, the Reds quickly turned to Mohamed Salah—because he was afraid of getting lost in the shuffle, and it’s hard to see him as a nailed-on starter at any of the linked clubs today.

And of the three, minutes might be hardest to get at Liverpool with its established front three, all of whom are expected to remain at the club. Still, if Brandt can be convinced, we certainly wouldn’t say no, not at a bargain €25M.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com