Atlético Madrid Target Julian Brandt as Antoine Griezmann Replacement

Julian Brandt is at the top of Atlético Madrid’s wish list as the Spanish club seeks a replacement for departing legend Antoine Griezmann, according to multiple verified reports from German and Spanish media outlets.

The 29-year-old German international, whose contract with Borussia Dortmund expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, is available on a free transfer and has emerged as the leading candidate to fill the void left by Griezmann’s impending move to Major League Soccer side Orlando City.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, reported by Goal.com on April 23, 2026, Brandt is “top of Atlético Madrid’s wish list” and is “earmarked to replace club legend Antoine Griezmann.” The report adds that Brandt is currently the favorite to succeed Griezmann, though he is not the only option under consideration by the Rojiblancos.

Atlético sporting director Mateu Alemany is said to be spearheading the pursuit of Brandt, who will depart Dortmund when his contract expires in June. The German midfielder has made 214 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since joining in 2019, scoring 43 goals, according to his Wikipedia profile.

Brandt, a versatile attacker who can play as a left winger or attacking midfielder, has represented the Germany national team 48 times, scoring three goals. He was part of the squad that won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017 and the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2014.

The Borussia Dortmund star has acknowledged that a move abroad is under consideration following his departure from the Bundesliga club. “There are lots of ideas. Not every idea is a good one. You shouldn’t rush into anything,” Brandt explained in comments reported by Goal.com. “He has not ruled out staying in the Bundesliga. ‘I wouldn’t rule anything out in principle,’ Brandt explained. ‘But there are certainly things I prefer, and other things I’m less keen on right now.'”

Brandt has hinted at a potential switch to La Liga, stating that a move abroad is under consideration, though he emphasized it would be “unfair to the club to travel around Europe now and suddenly start talking to every club.”

This season, Brandt has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 1,364 Bundesliga minutes for Dortmund, although adding four more goals between the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League. Last season, he contributed 11 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.

However, Brandt has lost his place as a regular starter under Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač this season. DAZN’s German football expert Andrés Weiss described him as “the definition of inconsistency and frustration” in the two seasons since helping Dortmund reach the Champions League final in 2024.

Despite his reduced role at Dortmund, Brandt remains a highly sought-after asset in the transfer market. Arsenal are also reportedly pursuing the 29-year-old, with the Gunners set to face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semifinals next week.

Brandt began his professional career with Bayer Leverkusen II in 2014 before breaking into the first team, where he made 165 appearances and scored 34 goals between 2014 and 2019. He was born on May 2, 1996, in Bremen, Germany, and stands 1.85 meters tall.

The Germany international has represented his country at every youth level from U15 to U21, making over 55 combined appearances for Germany’s youth teams. He was a member of the squad that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2014.

As Brandt’s Dortmund contract nears expiration, the attacking midfielder faces a pivotal decision about his next career move. While Atlético Madrid appears to be the leading suitor, interest from Arsenal and potential Bundesliga suitors could complicate the pursuit.

The next confirmed checkpoint in this developing story will be Brandt’s official departure from Borussia Dortmund when his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, after which he will be free to negotiate with interested clubs.

What are your thoughts on Julian Brandt’s potential move to Atlético Madrid? Share your predictions in the comments below and follow Archysport for the latest updates on this developing transfer saga.