Arsenal transfer news: Het Laatste Nieuws believes Arsenal belong to a tiny group of clubs that could genuinely afford Nicolo Tresoldi, and that Club Brugge hold the stronger hand in any negotiation. The Belgian champions have not ruled out a record sale in the winter window, even though Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier this month that they have no intention of selling in January.

Why the price keeps climbing

Brugge want to beat the €40m (about £33m) Arsenal paid them for Christos Tzolis in the summer. Sky’s Florian Plettenberg reported that Brugge quoted Barcelona around €50m (£41.8m), and Het Nieuwsblad claims Hannover are owed 10 per cent of the profit while Tresoldi takes 12 per cent himself. That squeezes Brugge’s margin and explains the high ask. They also turned down an alleged €35m approach from Roma last summer, so nobody should expect a discount.

What Arsenal would get?

Tresoldi, 22, has 13 goals in 14 appearances this season, including a Champions League hat-trick at Inter, and he has scored all four of his penalties. He finished last season with 23 goals and ranked in the top tenth of Belgian Pro League forwards for shot attempts, according to FotMob.

The same data shows the weaknesses. He touches the ball less than most strikers, contributes little defensively and wins aerial duels at an average rate despite being 6ft tall.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, five points clear of Brighton, yet the number nine role is still unsettled. Kai Havertz has three league goals in 10 games, Viktor Gyokeres is still waiting for his first in the competition, and Gabriel Jesus has left.

Arsenal transfer news.: Is Tresoldi worth Arsenal’s money?

Yes, but only on a summer timetable. Arsenal need a finisher who lives in the six-yard box, because Havertz drops deep to link play and Mikel Arteta’s wide players need somebody to attack their crosses. Tresoldi did that for Brugge alongside Tzolis, so the partnership already exists.

The risk is that he resembles Gyokeres, a £64m penalty-box striker still without a league goal this season. Tresoldi is younger and cheaper, but his limited involvement outside the area would not help against low blocks.

Chasing him in January makes little sense. The fee only rises with every goal, and AC Milan are reportedly watching too. Arsenal should keep scouting, protect their five-point lead with the squad they have, and return in the summer, when a deal no longer depends on Brugge changing their winter stance.