Arsenal sent €50m January message: Dream deal 'difficult but not impossible'
Arsenal have been warned that AC Milan could make a bold January move for Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi.
The 22-year-old is one of the most in-demand commodities in European football after a red-hot start to the season. Tresoldi has netted 14 goals in 17 appearances, including a stunning hat-trick in the Champions League against Inter last month.
Tresoldi is being watched by virtually every major club around Europe. Arsenal, who were already following his development last season and who ended up signing his partner in crime Christos Tzolis, are among the sides most persistently linked with him.
The Gunners are likely to need a replacement for Viktor Gyokeres in 2027. The Sweden international's form appears to be on an upward trajectory, but it is believed that he could leave the Gunners after a frustrating start to the campaign.
Tresoldi is one of the many strikers currently being linked with a transfer to the reigning Premier League champions. It is thought that Brugge will only sell Tresoldi in the summer, but it seems that not all of the German's suitors are prepared to respect that stance.
Tresoldi on the move in January?
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan could make a push for the Cagliari-born attacker in January. Emboldened by the fact that he is a die-hard Rossoneri fan, the Serie A giants believe that there may be a deal to be done.
It is acknowledged that the main hurdle is Brugge. Tresoldi, it is claimed, would say yes to a move to Milan in a heartbeat, but his club are unlikely to play ball in the winter. They do not want to lose their star striker in what is shaping up to be a potentially special season.
Prising him away from the Belgian heavyweight will require a record fee north of €40 million. Brugge are adamant that they will receive more for Tresoldi than they did for Tzolis in the summer, and it is believed that the bidding must start at around €50m.
Milan are convinced that a January deal is "difficult but not impossible." Gerry Cardinale, the Lombard club's owner, is determined to bring Tresoldi "home," and he is willing to break the bank if necessary.
He already backed Ruben Amorim with a record-shattering war chest in the summer, and he announced two weeks ago that there would be more major signings in January following a mixed start to the season.
"We'll continue to be aggressive and opportunistic in the January transfer market, and I'll continue to strengthen our bench. My style is to move decisively and quickly," Cardinale told Gazzetta dello Sport.
In a potentially ominous warning to Arsenal and Tresoldi's other suitors, Cardinale added: "I won't waste money, but when I set my mind on signing a player, I do everything I can to succeed."
Despite Cardinale's confidence, it seems a longshot that Milan will get their hands on Tresoldi in January - but then again, stranger things have happened in the transfer market.
