Arsenal are preparing a €30 million (approximately £26m) bid for Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi as they look to reshape their attacking options ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 21-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in Belgium, is understood to be a primary target for the North London club, with sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly holding preliminary talks with the Brugge hierarchy to discuss a summer transfer. The move would represent a significant return on investment for the Belgian side, who signed the Germany U21 international for an initial fee between €6m and €7.5m from Hannover 96 just 12 months ago.
The details of Arsenal’s interest in Tresoldi
According to reports in FootballTransfers and CaughtOffside, Arsenal’s interest has intensified following a series of scouting missions, most recently during Brugge's fixture against Anderlecht. While some outlets have described an opening proposal as imminent, it is understood that Arsenal are currently in the phase of establishing the framework of a deal before submitting a formal offer. Berta’s involvement suggests the club is moving quickly to secure the forward, who is under contract in Brugge until June 2029.
Tresoldi’s representatives are reportedly prioritising a move to a Champions League club, a requirement Arsenal are well-positioned to meet. The proposed €30m valuation aligns with recent market trends for high-output young strikers in the Jupiler Pro League, following the trajectory of similar moves to the Premier League from the Belgian market.
Breakout form and international recognition
Tresoldi has been prolific during the 2025-26 season, scoring 17 goals across all competitions. This clinical edge has not gone unnoticed by senior international managers. Speaking to FootballTransfers, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann named Tresoldi as a potential "dark horse" for his 2026 World Cup squad, noting that the striker is among several young players in the running for a selection spot.
However, Tresoldi’s international future remains a subject of speculation. Born in Italy, the striker told Bulinews that he remains open to a call-up from Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso. "The rules allow it, and my phone is on," Tresoldi said. "If Gattuso wants to talk to me, I would be very happy." This dual eligibility and his rapid ascent to 17 goals this term have contributed to his rising market value, vindicating his decision to move to Belgium last summer. "Many people thought it wasn't the right move," Tresoldi told Goal, "but I had a good gut feeling; it was the right decision."
Tactical fit and the Gabriel Jesus situation
Arsenal’s pursuit of Tresoldi is contextualised by the expected departure of Gabriel Jesus. The 29-year-old Brazilian has struggled for consistent minutes following the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres in 2025 and will enter the final year of his contract in 2027. Moving for Tresoldi represents a shift toward a younger profile of deputy who shares the technical proficiency and high-intensity pressing capabilities required by Mikel Arteta’s tactical system.
Comparing the two, Tresoldi offers a more traditional poaching instinct while maintaining the mobility to drift wide, a trait that has defined Arsenal's fluidity in recent seasons. At 21, his profile fits the club’s long-term recruitment strategy of vertical integration, where younger talent is brought in to provide competition for established starters before eventually succeeding them.
Negotiation hurdles and competition
While Arsenal appear to lead the pursuit, the €30m asking price may only be a starting point. Club Brugge are under no financial pressure to sell, given the four years remaining on Tresoldi’s contract. Furthermore, interest from the Bundesliga remains a factor, as several German clubs have monitored the striker since his departure from Hannover. With the World Cup approaching, any deal is likely to be sought early in the window to avoid a potential price surge should Tresoldi feature prominently for Germany—or Italy—this summer.
