AC Milan are considering bringing forward a potential move for Club Brugge striker Nicolò Tresoldi in January, with the Belgian club reportedly demanding at least €40m. The thinking is that Milan may need a ready-made No 9 option sooner than planned, depending on how other striker business develops.
AC Milan could act earlier than expected in the market for striker cover, with Tresoldi increasingly viewed as a realistic contingency if plans elsewhere do not land quickly.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reports that the 2025/26 recruitment direction is focused on targets championed internally, with Tresoldi among Gerry Cardinale’s preferred options. It also claims incoming football leadership at Milan, associated with Markus Krösche, rate the young forward highly—setting the tone for a possible push in the January window.
Brugge stance appears to be the main obstacle. Club Brugge are said not to be willing to sell Tresoldi for less than €40m during the mid-season period, which could force Milan to weigh up whether they pay the premium now or instead explore a cheaper short-term alternative.
January decision depends on striker depth
Milan’s immediate squad planning is likely to revolve around whether they can keep sufficient competition behind their starting options. Corriere dello Sport frames Gonçalo Ramos as Milan’s No 9 in the short term and future plans, but suggests the club will also need a back-up striker.
A key factor is Francesco Camarda, with the expectation that he could move out on loan. Multiple Serie B clubs are described as interested, and that would leave Milan needing another pathway for goals beyond the first-team group—either through an affordable loan or, if that proves difficult, a direct transfer.
Why Tresoldi fits Milan’s profile
Tresoldi has been linked to Milan before, and the paper notes that in 2021, when he was in Hannover youth setup, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara discussed terms with him—before Milan ultimately went another way by signing Pietro Pellegri.
The potential appeal now is partly footballing and partly cultural. Corriere dello Sport adds that Tresoldi is a lifelong Milan fan, and in January he said: ‘My dream is this: for me, the ultimate is Milan.’
For fans, the practical issue is simple: if Milan cannot secure inexpensive cover in January, the club may decide to pay a higher fee to protect their season momentum—particularly if squad rotation or injuries expose a gap in the striker department.
At this stage, the picture remains a report rather than a confirmed agreement, and the €40m demand may determine whether Milan accelerate talks or switch to the loan market for now.
