The Brugge issue and a familiar backstory: Why the Tresoldi deal is becoming off-putting

By: Ben Dixon

Recently, it’s felt like AC Milan have been set on signing Nicolo Tresoldi in the winter. It may be the easy option, but is it the right one?

At a time when Milan are doing the PR side of things almost perfectly, Tresoldi feels like another easy win. It seems increasingly likely that Francesco Camarda departs in the winter mercato, so why not replace him with another Milanista?

Replace the boy who was destined to become king with another who seems further down the career line. He’s already scored a senior goal – or three – at San Siro and he’s got attention from all of Europe’s best clubs. However, if the Rossoneri came knocking, would he be able to say no to his boyhood club?

Well, here is the alternative view: maybe they shouldn’t knock at all.

Now, it’s unpopular to suggest that Tresoldi isn’t the right man, but stick with us here, especially after reports today. If you’ve not seen, Club Brugge have made a statement in the Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws that they won’t be selling him in January.

It’s a ‘club policy’ and even for €60-70 million, he won’t be leaving Belgium. We’ve seen these kinds of statements become pointless in the past and this could become one of them. However, that’s not really the important thing here.

Instead, it’s that Tresoldi has now entered a new bracket. €50m in January is steep, but it’s workable. Ultimately, we’re not in record-breaking territory. Taking that €10-20m step upwards, though, that’s where we enter that territory. There’s also a possibility that more would be needed, too.

It’s a figure that Gerry Cardinale may not be afraid to spend. In fact, reports would have you believe that he really loves Tresoldi and sees him as a perfect addition to a strong frontline roster. However, that’s a lot of money on two strikers in one season.

Then, you’ve also got negotiations with Brugge to deal with. Historically, the Diavolo have found it difficult to close deals with them and with Tresoldi, it’ll be harder than ever, especially after the Ardon Jashari situation.

With the figures being discussed too, you can only imagine how small the margins will be.

Then, you have maybe the most difficult factor. Tresoldi, taking romanticism out of it, has only performed in, with respect, sub-tier leagues. Now, that’s not to take away from his records; scoring-wise, he’s been phenomenal and he’s matched it in the Champions League.

However – and it’s a big however – we’ve already seen that it doesn’t always translate. For example, look at Charles De Ketelaere, but that’s not the real parallel here.

Here, we head to the parallel. In the summer just gone, Milan hired a new Portuguese coach, who initially faced a few questions. After an up-and-down first half of the season, they find themselves in need of a statement January window and stumble upon a boyhood fan of the Rossoneri.

Said fan is banging goals in for fun in a league outside of Europe’s top five, but there’s no need to panic as he’s performing in the Champions League, even against the biggest teams. So, the Rossoneri make the plunge.

Six months later, they try to sell him and a year after that, he’s on loan at Porto, with an €18m buy clause sitting in his deal, unlikely to be touched. Of course, that’s Santiago Gimenez.

There are differences between them, of course, but the formula has already been tried and the results speak for themselves. Trying it again, whilst enticing for the same romantic reasons as Gimenez’s arrival, may not be the answer.

Yes, Gimenez had issues with selection and injuries and eventually, both together. Nevertheless, even without these problems, it was a rushed deal and the Diavolo are going to be the ones paying for that rush next season.

The point here isn’t to discredit the Mexican, but rather suggest that rushing to sign a romantic connection isn’t always the best way to spend big money. It’s about balance, which is why another striker signing like Nicolas Füllkrug wouldn’t be ideal.

Denying that Tresoldi could become a great would be naive, but it would also be as bad to ignore the reasons why the deal is becoming more of a gamble. At €50m, it makes sense, but we’re entering an echelon of deals that requires serious consideration.

In January, Milan would probably have to spend upwards of €70m and that wouldn’t guarantee them Champions League football. Nothing really will offer complete assurances in football; few things – if anything – are guaranteed. Yet, for that fee, it would be expected and you’re still not really addressing the issues within the squad completely.

To do that, Cardinale would have to spend at least another €30-40m to satisfy the fanbase and that’s unreasonable halfway through a season.

So, diversifying the money across the team and then reassessing in the summer may be the best route forward. After all, with this increased price demand, you’re hardly going to be paying more in the summer – and if their demands reach that amount, you’re voicing new questions.

With Markus Krösche also coming in, the January mercato will be one where everything has to be considered carefully and judgements will be made before February 1 rolls around. Spending so heavily on one target may also be an early and unnecessary strike on his record, if it doesn’t work.

For many, Tresoldi made sense in January because he’d be an investment at an investment price. Now, you’re looking at a major budget depletion for a striker who has yet to become a senior international and/or a regular goalscorer in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

The romantic side of it is great; it’s difficult not to fall for that. Financially, though, signing Tresoldi is becoming a tougher sell and that’s where we might have to start listening to the brain rather than the heart.