AC Milan Eye Nicolò Tresoldi for January Transfer as Club Brugge Set a High Price
AC Milan are considering a January transfer move for Club Brugge striker Nicolò Tresoldi as they look to strengthen their attack and maintain their push for a successful season. The Italian-born forward has emerged as a concrete target, but competition from several major European clubs—and Brugge’s reputation for driving hard bargains—could make negotiations difficult.
Milan’s reported interest fits a broader plan to improve the squad during the winter window. Club owner Gerry Cardinale has emphasized the importance of strengthening the team, with qualification for next season’s Champions League a key objective. A return to Europe’s premier competition would bring sporting prestige and valuable revenue, while Milan also hope to progress as far as possible in the Europa League and Coppa Italia.
Tresoldi’s goals have attracted Europe’s leading clubs
Tresoldi, born in Cagliari in 2004 and developed at Hannover before moving to Belgium, has made a strong impression at Club Brugge. He has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances this season across competitions, a return that helps explain the growing attention around the young number nine.
His form has reportedly drawn interest from clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Roma. Milan therefore face more than a straightforward negotiation with Brugge: they will also need to persuade the striker that San Siro is the right place for the next stage of his development.
Tresoldi currently represents Germany at under-21 level, with the European Under-21 Championship scheduled for next June in Albania and Serbia. His international future remains unsettled, adding another layer of interest to a period that could prove pivotal in his career.
Club Brugge are unlikely to offer a discount
Club Brugge have not publicly set an asking price, but reports suggest that a bid of at least €50 million may be required. That figure would be at least €10 million higher than the amount discussed last summer. Even a substantial offer, however, may not persuade the Belgian club to sell in January.
Brugge have a track record of protecting the value of their key players. Milan know this from previous dealings involving Charles De Ketelaere in 2022 and Ardon Jashari in 2025, when negotiations showed that the Belgian side are not easily pressured into accepting a lower fee. Their deals can also include performance-related bonuses, allowing the club to secure additional value if agreed targets are met.
The timing matters as much as the price. Selling a leading striker halfway through a campaign could weaken Brugge’s own sporting ambitions, while a summer departure would give the club more time to identify a replacement and assess competing offers. In January 2025, Brugge reportedly rejected Liverpool’s approach for defender Joel Ordóñez, underlining their willingness to resist late-season bids for important players.
Could a loan-back arrangement make a January deal possible?
Milan are expected to use the coming weeks to establish whether a deal can be reached immediately or whether the move is better suited to the summer. The Rossoneri spent more than €150 million in the previous summer transfer window, so any major January investment would need to fit their financial and sporting priorities.
There is at least some precedent for Club Brugge allowing important players to leave during the winter. Krépin Diatta joined Monaco in January 2021, Tajon Buchanan moved to Inter in January 2024, and Andreas Skov Olsen signed for Wolfsburg in January 2025. In those cases, the players were understood to have pushed strongly for a transfer.
Tresoldi’s situation appears different. Reports from Belgium indicate that he is not planning to force a move and feels grateful to Brugge for helping him develop, giving him opportunities in the Champions League and raising his profile across Europe. Milan may be his preferred destination, but that does not necessarily mean he will demand an immediate exit.
One possible compromise would be for Milan to complete the 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 control of a highly sought-after prospect while allowing Brugge to retain him for their current campaign. It remains a less likely outcome, but it could offer a practical middle ground if both clubs are open to negotiation.
Prediction: a difficult January move, with summer more realistic
Transfer prediction: Milan’s interest is credible, but a January agreement looks challenging unless Brugge receive a major offer and Tresoldi signals that he is ready to move. A summer transfer currently appears more realistic, particularly if the Belgian club can secure a premium fee and plan for his replacement in advance.
The coming weeks should clarify whether Milan are prepared to test Brugge’s resolve. Any early talks are likely to focus not only on the transfer fee but also on payment structure, bonuses, timing and the possibility of a loan-back. With several elite clubs monitoring Tresoldi, Milan may also need to act decisively if they want to make him their leading attacking target.
International decision adds to a defining period
For Tresoldi, 2027 could become one of the most important years of his young career. He may change clubs, compete at the European Under-21 Championship and face a decision over whether to represent Germany or Italy at senior international level.
Italy coach Mancini has expressed optimism about the possibility of Tresoldi choosing the Azzurri. He said he had spoken with the forward, as had Ranieri, and suggested that the player should consider what representing Italy would mean to him. Mancini also pointed to Tresoldi’s Italian birthplace and family connections, while making clear that the final decision belongs to the player.
For Milan, the combination of goals, age and international potential makes Tresoldi an appealing long-term prospect. But the club’s pursuit will depend on more than ambition: Brugge must be willing to negotiate, Milan must find an acceptable financial package, and the striker must decide when the right moment has arrived. Until then, the January transfer remains a possibility—not a certainty.
