Arsenal line up cut-price £17.5m swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Julian Brandt

Arsenal are looking at alternatives to Martin Odegaard and are plotting a cheap move for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt, according to reports.

The Gunners are eager to extend Odegaard's stay when his loan deal from Real Madrid expires at the end of the season, but if the Spanish giants call him back then Brandt could make the move to the Emirates.

According to German publication BILD, Arsenal are 'digging hard' for Brandt and Dortmund would want only £17.5million for his services - which would be a £4m loss on what the Bundesliga side paid Bayer Leverkusen in 2019.

Arsenal reportedly view Brandt as an ideal replacement for Norwegian midfielder Odegaard, and the German is open to exploring a new challenge.

The 24-year-old has endured a frustrating time at Dortmund this season, starting only 16 times in Bundesliga, seemingly accepting that he may need to leave to revitalise his career.

In 82 matches for Dortmund, the attacking midfielder has scored 10 times while creating 15 assists.

Despite his lack of playing time recently, Arsenal are well aware of what Brandt can give to the team and may make a move for the German star if Madrid refuse to let Odegaard continue in north London.

Mikel Arteta's side registered interest in Brandt last January - when Odegaard joined on loan - and could return with a formal bid in the summer window.

Arsenal's pursuit of Brandt comes amid reports from Spain that Madrid will not allow Odegaard to extend his stay in north London.

A fresh season-long loan deal for Odegaard appears Arsenal's most likely option due to their financial constraints.

However, Spanish publication AS claim Real have no intention of letting him remain in north London and are 'counting on' the Norwegian for the 2021-22 campaign.

They say the decision for Odegaard to return to Spain this summer has already been made, with recent problems only highlighting the need for him to rejoin the squad.

The age of Luka Modric, who will be 36 in September, is said to be an issue, with recent injury problems for the former Tottenham star and his midfield partner, Toni Kroos, also mentioned.

AS suggest that Zinedine Zidane believes it was a mistake to allow Odegaard to leave on loan due to the shortage of fit options available to him over the last three months.

They say he will 'definitely take the baton' from Real's ageing midfielders next term after struggling for minutes under Zidane at the start of the season.