AC Milan Target Nicolò Tresoldi for January Transfer Window
AC Milan are weighing up a January move for Club Brugge striker Nicolò Tresoldi as they look to strengthen their attack for the second half of the season. The Italian-born forward has emerged as a leading target, but a mid-season deal could prove difficult: Milan face competition from several major European clubs, while Brugge are known for demanding substantial fees for their prized players.
The potential signing fits into Milan’s broader effort to build a squad capable of competing on several fronts. Club owner Gerry Cardinale has made clear that strengthening the team in the new year is a priority. Milan are aiming to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League, a goal with significant sporting and financial value, while also progressing as far as possible in the Europa League and Coppa Italia.
Why Tresoldi Has Become a Milan Transfer Priority
Tresoldi, born in Cagliari in 2004, developed at Hannover before continuing his career in Belgium with Club Brugge. His performances have attracted attention across Europe, and his goalscoring record has made him one of the more intriguing young forwards in the current transfer market. He has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances this season across competitions, a return that helps explain why Brugge may be reluctant to let him go.
For Milan, the appeal is not limited to his finishing. Tresoldi is a young centre-forward with room to develop, and his experience in a competitive European environment could offer value beyond the immediate campaign. Bringing in a player with a strong scoring record would give Milan another attacking option as they pursue their league objectives and compete in cup football.
However, signing a promising striker is rarely straightforward when several elite clubs are watching. Reports have linked Tresoldi with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Roma, among others. Milan would therefore need to convince both the player and his current club that San Siro is the right next step.
Club Brugge Could Demand at Least €50 Million
The financial side of the deal is likely to be a major obstacle. Club Brugge have not publicly set an asking price, but reports suggest they could seek at least €50 million for their number nine. That figure would be around €10 million higher than the amount discussed last summer, reflecting Tresoldi’s progress and the growing interest in his services.
Brugge have developed a reputation for negotiating firmly when selling important players. Milan know that from previous dealings, including the Charles De Ketelaere transfer in 2022 and the Jashari negotiations in 2025. The Belgian club are often reluctant to reduce their valuation and may seek additional payments through performance-related bonuses that are considered achievable.
Even a substantial offer might not be enough to secure Tresoldi in January. Selling a key player midway through a season can disrupt a club’s plans, particularly when it still has important sporting targets to pursue. Brugge could also prefer to wait until summer, when they would have more time to assess competing bids and identify a replacement.
Could a Loan-Back Arrangement Help Milan?
A possible compromise would be for Milan to agree a transfer in January while allowing Tresoldi to remain at Club Brugge on loan until the end of the season. Such an arrangement could give Milan a head start in the race for the striker while limiting the immediate impact on Brugge’s squad.
That option, however, remains uncertain. Any deal would depend on the clubs agreeing not only on the transfer fee but also on the loan terms and the timing of Tresoldi’s move. Milan have yet to turn their reported interest into a formal offer, and the coming weeks are expected to clarify whether Brugge are willing to negotiate before the summer.
Recent history shows that Brugge have occasionally sold players during the January window. Krépin Diatta moved to Monaco in January 2021, Tajon Buchanan joined Inter in January 2024, and Andreas Skov Olsen transferred to Wolfsburg in January 2025. But those departures reportedly involved players who pushed strongly for a move. Tresoldi’s situation appears different: he has not indicated that he intends to force an exit.
Tresoldi’s Preference—and His Respect for Brugge
According to reports in Belgium, Milan are an appealing destination for Tresoldi and may be his preferred choice. Still, that does not necessarily mean he will pressure Brugge to sell. The club has helped him develop, provided opportunities to play in the Champions League and raised his profile across Europe. That relationship could shape the timing and tone of any eventual transfer.
If Tresoldi does leave, the expectation is that he would want the move to be approved by Brugge, with all parties satisfied by the outcome. That approach could make a January transfer harder to complete, but it may also leave the door open for a carefully structured agreement that allows the striker to finish the campaign in Belgium.
International Future Adds Another Major Decision
Tresoldi’s club future is not the only significant question ahead. He represents Germany at under-21 level, with the next European Under-21 Championship scheduled for June in Albania and Serbia. He is also eligible to represent Italy, creating a choice that could become increasingly important as his career develops.
Italy head coach Mancini has spoken positively about the possibility of Tresoldi choosing the Azzurri. He said he and Ranieri had spoken with the young forward, while stressing that the final decision must belong to the player. Mancini also pointed to Tresoldi’s Italian birthplace and family connection as reasons for optimism, adding that the striker could become an important figure for Italy.
Transfer Prediction: Milan Interest Is Real, but January Looks Difficult
Prediction: Milan are likely to explore the possibility of signing Tresoldi, but an immediate January move appears challenging. Brugge’s reported valuation, their reluctance to weaken the squad mid-season and the striker’s apparent unwillingness to force an exit all point toward a complicated negotiation. A summer transfer—or a January agreement followed by a loan-back—may be more realistic than an immediate arrival at San Siro.
For Milan supporters following the football transfer market, Tresoldi is a name worth watching. His goals, age and European experience make him an attractive long-term prospect, but the price and timing will determine whether the Rossoneri can turn their interest into a deal. Much will depend on Brugge’s plans, the level of competition from rival clubs and Tresoldi’s own decision about the next step in his career.
