Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund ‘target’, Bjorn Engels, claims he’s not ready to join a big club like the Gunners or the Bundesliga side. Instead, he wants to join a mid-table team first.

The Club Brugge defender was linked with a move to Arsenal in early August despite being contracted with the Belgian club until 2020. It was mainly in the Belgian press and the English media didn’t seem to really pick up on it. However, the 21-year-old obviously heard the whispers and admitted that although playing in the Champions League one day is a ‘nice prospect’ (?!) he feels that playing for the Gunners or Dortmund would be a ‘bridge too far’ for him right now.

“That [a move to Dortmund or Arsenal] is a bridge too far for me at the moment,” Engels told Het Laatste Nieuws.

“A mid-table team [in a big league] would be the ideal next step for me and there have been some serious offers from such teams.

“I am staying calm, though. I only want to be informed about it when Club also agree to a transfer.

“I am 100 per cent focused on Club now and that will not change so long as I am here. Playing in the Champions League is a nice prospect as well.

“We will have to wait and see what happens.”

It’s odd for a young player to come out and be so open about the fact that they’re not yet ready to play out of their comfort zone. They usually can’t wait to talk about their ambition and how eager they are to play in Europe. It’s strange to hear someone say, no, no, don’t buy me, I’m not ready. Fascinating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLhH8vTvAy4