Milan are thinking about signing Nicolò Tresoldi. The striker has been making eyes at the Rossoneri for some time, but... What do Club Brugge think? That the Italian-German striker is at the top of the preferences of Milan's transfer-market officials (Gerry Cardinale first and foremost) is no mystery. Just as well known is the centre-forward's passion for Milan, the team he has supported since he was a child.
His registration rights, however, are in the hands of the Belgian champions, who have an agreement with him until 30 June 2029. The moral of the story: to take him away from the Jan Breydel, Milan must obtain Club Brugges' approval, a club with which the Rossoneri have already completed two important deals in the recent past.
Since 2022, the year in which the De Ketelaere operation went through, the management teams have changed several times both in Milan and in the small Belgian city, but the history between the two clubs can only favour their relations.
Although, to tell the truth, in the cases of CDK and then Jashari, the performances on the pitch have so far vindicated the seller more than the buyer. Who knows whether things might change with Tresoldi if the two parties really were to sit down at a negotiating table.
With one premise: especially in January, the valuation will inevitably be a substantial one. How substantial? Around €60 million, according to whispers coming from Flanders, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Club Brugge are accustomed to selling, but they have no need to sell at all costs, especially during the season.
And Tresoldi has so far literally carried the team with his goals: 8 in the league, 5 in the Champions League, one in the Super Cup. A total of 14 goals in 17 official matches.
To give up their goalscorer in the January transfer window, when all their objectives are still within reach, it is clear that the price must be considered more than satisfactory.
Also because, if the 22-year-old striker were to maintain his current goalscoring average throughout the season, the value of his registration rights would continue to rise. A risk, but also an opportunity.
Milan keen on Tresoldi, but other clubs are also interested
Milan, moreover, are not alone in the race for Tresoldi. From Bayern Munich to the big English clubs, the eyes of Europe's elite are carefully watching the centre-forward born in Cagliari, but a key player for Germany Under-21s.
Thus, if Cardinale wanted to get ahead of everyone, he would have to move quickly and decisively, as he has already shown himself capable of doing during the summer with Gonçalo Ramos, Moreira and Gila.
To write a cheque for €60 million, however, some favourable conditions are also needed. In other words: Milan competing for an important objective, and the certainty that his arrival would not make him merely an alternative to Gonçalo Ramos, who is, not by chance, the most expensive player in Rossoneri history.
In essence, Ruben Amorim would have to provide the right guarantees regarding the advisability of the purchase.
Past...
Once this has been established, it is necessary to look back at past experiences. History, in fact, teaches that with Club Brugge it is not worth wasting time in lengthy negotiations.
In the end, De Ketelaere and Jashari arrived in Milan for the fee the Belgians had demanded from the very beginning, without the weeks of negotiations ultimately producing any significant discounts.
As mentioned, however, the Rossoneri's way of operating has changed considerably since Cardinale decided to become personally involved in the transfer market as well.
Tresoldi is waiting for nothing more than a phone call. On several occasions, even publicly, he has expressed his appreciation for Milan.
Meanwhile, the hat-trick he scored against Inter at San Siro on 13 October in the Champions League naturally excited the Rossoneri supporters too, who would be very happy to make him their favourite.
The deal would also make Club Bugge happy, as they would complete the most lucrative sale in the club's history, well beyond the €40 million received from Arsenal for Tzolis in the summer.
