Leeds United: Daniel Farke to seriously benefit from Julian Brandt trait if deal struck

Leeds United would be pulling off a serious piece of business for Daniel Farke should they land Julian Brandt.

The 30-year-old is set to leave Borussia Dortmund following the expiration of his contract this summer, after spending seven years in the Ruhrpott following his move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2019.

Brandt has not hit the heights imagined at the start of his career, but he has remained a classy operator at the Westfalenstadion and is someone who does not shy away from criticism when the going gets tough.

As per Graham Smyth, the Whites are among a handful of clubs interested in securing his signature, with offers also coming from the Champions League.

After securing their Premier League status, Leeds are looking to progress to the next level.

A player of Brandt's quality would not only raise the level of the squad, but yet another mentality monster would be added to the group.

Julian Brandt has not hit imagined heights - but is still appreciated

While it feels harsh to say that a player with 99 career goals and 122 assists has not hit the heights, it emphasises just how much expectation was placed on Brandt's shoulders during his early days at Leverkusen.

Brandt is an old-school number 10 in every sense. While he lacks physical qualities, he makes up for it with supreme technical ability and creative awareness.

The emergence of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have saw his minutes for the German national team become limited, but on his day he has still remained one of the best that the Bundesliga has to offer.

His consistency has been called out at times during his spell at the Westfalenstadion.

However, that can be said for Dortmund as a club in recent years, who have been the league's nearly men for the best part of a decade now.

He does now carry serious experience at the very highest level - something that could elevate Leeds, with the elite experience missing from what is a very respectable and experienced group.

Leeds fans will love certain Brandt trait

Throughout his time with Borussia Dortmund, Brandt has always been one to take accountability.

During a rough period following the sacking of Nuri Sahin in the 2024-25 season, the midfielder was one of the first to acknowledge the criticism, saying: "I see reactions in the stands from our fans. I'm not someone who gives free rein to emotions. I do a lot with myself inside."

He was also the one BVB player to stand tall after the infamous final day of the 2022-23 season, with Dortmund missing out on the title due to a 2-2 draw with Mainz.

In the aftermath, Brandt was the man who stood tall and spoke to the media that day, with the squad as a whole largely distraught after going into the final matchday in control of their own destiny.

The 30-year-old has been praised across Germany for similar circumstances, due to his willingness to take accountability and never shy away from criticism

Brandt has not hit the imagined heights as a player, but if anything, that is a testament to how highly rated he was as a youngster.

Now, the latter years of his career are approaching, but he can most certainly add something to a Leeds group aiming to go a step further in the Premier League after securing their survival.