Barcelona spent much of the summer trying to sign a new striker, having seen both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres leave.
While the club were almost exclusively focused on signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, they also kept tabs on other alternatives like Nicolo Tresoldi.
Now, according to SPORT, Barcelona could face serious competition from Arsenal in their pursuit of the German striker.
The Premier League club are considering a January move for the highly-rated Club Brugge striker, who has been in great form this season.
The 22-year-old German remains on Barcelona’s shortlist of attacking targets despite Raphinha’s emergence as a number nine option.
Arsenal consider January move for Tresoldi
Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen Arsenal’s attack following Viktor Gyokeres’ underwhelming performances.
Tresoldi has emerged as an attractive option after an impressive start to the campaign. The striker has scored nine goals in 12 appearances, including four in the Champions League.
Nicolo Tresoldi could be an excellent striker for a top European club. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
His European performances include a remarkable hat-trick against Inter Milan at San Siro, but signing him would require a significant investment.
Arsenal are said to be willing to spend around €48 million, while Club Brugge could demand as much as €60 million.
The Belgian club previously rejected an offer of approximately €35 million from AS Roma and have Tresoldi under contract until 2029.
Arsenal could also benefit from their existing relationship with Brugge, having signed Christos Tzolis from the Belgian side last summer.
Barcelona face a difficult decision over their striker plans
Barcelona will definitely be keeping tabs on Tresoldi and how he is performing for the Belgian side on a weekly basis.
His movement, link-up play and ability to find space inside the penalty area make him an interesting fit for Hansi Flick’s attacking philosophy.
However, the competition extends beyond Arsenal, with Milan, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also linked.
Do Barcelona move for Julian Alvarez or a less proven option like Tresoldi. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Many of these clubs are financially stronger than Barcelona, and if this becomes a bidding war, the Catalan club may lose out.
Tresoldi’s rising valuation could soon make him considerably less attractive as a long-term investment. At €48 million, he would already represent a substantial commitment.
A fee approaching €60 million would demand even greater certainty that he is the striker who can take Hansi Flick’s project forward.
Barcelona must therefore decide whether his potential justifies entering a bidding contest or whether they are better off putting those resources into signing a more proven striker.
If the Catalan club play their cards right, they could try to sign the German, and it remains to be seen how his future pans out.