Arsenal and Bayern are both going after one of Europe’s most talented players as the World Cup gets closer.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to compete with Bayern Munich for a top Bundesliga star. Just days after celebrating their Premier League win in north London, Arteta and the team are already planning to strengthen the squad for next season.
Atletico Madrid’s forward Julian Alvarez is one player linked with a move to the Emirates, but Arsenal also face competition from Barcelona for him. Meanwhile, as The Athletic reports, Arsenal might be up against Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich for Germany international Nathaniel Brown.
The 22-year-old left-back, who was part of Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man World Cup squad, started his career at Nurnberg before joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024. The German coach has called Brown “one of the most talented left-backs around.”
Since joining Frankfurt, Brown has played 75 games, scoring 7 goals and providing 13 assists, earning 4 caps for Germany. He’s under contract until 2030, with Frankfurt valuing him at around £50-60 million.
Last season, Brown stood out by winning more tackles than any other player in the Bundesliga, with 81, while also setting up chances for his teammates. Even though he’s a left-back, he played almost half his games as a left midfielder, which makes him an even more attractive option for Arsenal.
If he joins, he’d compete with Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori for a spot in Arteta’s starting lineup. Arsenal are also interested in Newcastle’s right-back Tino Livramento and fellow full-back Ivan Fresnada. Real Madrid’s young talent Victor Valdepensa has also caught their eye ahead of the transfer window opening on June 15.
While Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are Arsenal’s main center-backs, the club wants to add more options in that position, with RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba one player they’re watching closely.
When asked about the transfer rumors last week, Brown said he’s focused on the World Cup right now. “Of course I read that too, but I want to focus on the World Cup right now,” he said. “I’ll see what comes after that. But right now my full focus is on the World Cup. I feel great, I’ve made friends here and really settled in. I’m really enjoying it.”