Arsenal and Chelsea target breakout star: Is he Europe’s deadliest young striker?

Arsenal and Chelsea are both studying the possibility of signing Monaco striker Paris Brunner after his extraordinary start to the season.

Brunner was long hailed as a wonderkid during his younger days with Borussia Dortmund but left Germany for Monaco in 2024 for €4 million.

His career in France has been something of a slow burn, but the 20-year-old has started to realise his potential this season, with eight goals in ten appearances highlighting him as one to watch.

And clubs are doing just that. Arsenal and Chelsea are just two of the team tracking Brunner, according to TeamTalk. Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG’s attention has also been caught.

Indeed, his rapid rise has kept Folarin Balogun out of the team in recent matches following his return from a knee injury sustained while on USMNT duty at the World Cup.

And compared to his peers across Europe’s ‘Big 5’ leagues, he is doing very nicely indeed. Among players 20 or under, only Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who finished third in Monday’s Ballon d’Or, has scored more top-flight goals than Brunner’s four, showing what excellent company the young German is now keeping.

Brunner growing on and off the field

What’s been most impressive about Brunner this season has been his ability to score a variety of different goals. He’s been a penalty box poacher, but he’s also been someone who can create something out of nothing.

Although his talent is starting to be proven at Ligue 1 level, there is another consideration that clubs will be taking into account when sizing the young striker up for a move: his attitude.

Monaco were able to sign him for just €4m largely because Borussia Dortmund had grown tired of his behaviour.

Indeed, BVB even went so far as to issue a public notice of his suspension, stating: “Borussia Dortmund have suspended Paris Brunner. The youth player will not participate in BVB duties until further notice.”

Brunner has cast these doubts aside, explaining that his meagre eight appearances last season were fuel for him to improve.

Speaking to the media, he said: “I've worked a lot on myself. Last year I didn't play much, so I had plenty of time to develop mentally and improve individually on the pitch. I try to draw on that every day and use it as motivation to perform at my best.

“My team-mates are a huge help! Players like Eric Dier and Denis Zakaria give me advice every day in training.”

Brunner, it seems, is developing rapidly both on and off the field, and that can only increase his chances of landing a big move in 2027.