Arsenal serious about record-breaking signing after Champions League audition

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Tom Weber | Writer

Arsenal are still monitoring Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, who is poised to break the transfer record set by Christos Tzolis this summer.

The 22-year-old firmly lived up to the hype in the Champions League this week. A boyhood AC Milan fan, Tresoldi was the name on everyone's lips ahead of Brugge's clash with his personal rivals Inter.

"Tresoldi can become a top European striker, 100%," goalkeeper Yann Sommer said ahead of the match. "He's humble, professional and has the qualities to play for a big club."

This was later echoed by manager Ivan Lecko. "I’m a big fan of his; he’s a very humble guy. He is well aware of his talent and works extremely hard," the Brugge boss said.

"He has made significant progress over the last ten months, and I know he’s going to reach the top. He has potential, but he’s not the only highly talented player we have on the team."

Tresoldi passes transfer audition

The Champions League clash with Inter was a special occasion for Tresoldi - and he was locked in. He stepped up to take a penalty in the 30th minute and rifled it into the top corner. Another two goals followed.

The Italian-born Germany youth international became one of the youngest hat-trick scorers in Champions League history, but in truth, Inter didn't put up much defensive resistance as they slumped to an embarrassing 4-3 defeat that could have been much, much worse.

Having also bagged a goal against Aston Villa in Brugge's Champions League opener, Tresoldi is already on four European goals after two matches. All told, he has netted nine times in 11 outings across all competitions this term.

He has picked up right where he left off in 2025/26, which he finished with 23 goals to his name after forming a deadly partnership with winger Christos Tzolis, who ended up joining Arsenal for €40 million, a club-record fee for Brugge.

The Gunners also had Tresoldi on their radar, but he wasn't deemed ready yet to play for a side of that stature, while Brugge had no intention of entertaining offers for him. They apparently rebuffed a €35m bid from Roma in the summer.

That's likely to be different in 2027. Brugge's model is signing cheap and selling high, so they won't stand in Tresoldi's way if a suitable offer materialises. Nicolo Schira has now confirmed that Arsenal are still monitoring the striker.

Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs, while reports in Spain have been linking Tresoldi with Barcelona for weeks. Signing him will not be cheap, however.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, Brugge are determined to make Tresoldi their new record signing, meaning that he will cost more than the €40m Tzolis went for in the summer.

There's a good reason for this, too. Brugge stand to make a substantial profit on Tresoldi, having only paid €7.5m in 2025, but they will have to part with a significant chunk of that revenue.

Not only will the attacker's former club, 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96, be owed 10% of the profit, but Tresoldi himself will also pocket 12%. In other words, Brugge will have to give up 22% of their capital gain, hence the hefty price tag.

Over the past month, Tresoldi's Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has jumped to €20.7m. His value will only increase after his exploits in Europe this week, and if he keeps performing, he will be well worth the €45m, €50m, or however much Arsenal or any other suitor will have to pay for him.

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