Barcelona Abandons Alvarez and Turns to Striker
The Catalans have reportedly agreed terms with 21-year-old Nicolas Tresoldi from Club Brugge, and now it remains for the clubs to agree on a transfer fee.
The Catalans have reportedly agreed terms with 21-year-old Nicolas Tresoldi from Club Brugge, and now it remains for the clubs to agree on a transfer fee.
Since the start of the transfer window, Barcelona has been trying to bring in Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, but the Argentine striker remains out of reach as the Madrid club refuses to sell him to a direct rival. As a result, the Catalans have turned to a younger and more financially accessible option, with their choice falling on 21-year-old German striker Nicolas Tresoldi from Belgian side Club Brugge.
According to reports from Večernji list, Barcelona has reportedly already agreed terms with Tresoldi, who has accepted a five-year contract until the summer of 2031. Tportal adds that the player had reportedly agreed in principle to such a contract during negotiations with Roma in July, but a deal with Club Brugge was not reached at that time.
Now, Barcelona has seriously entered the race, and the possibility of moving to Camp Nou is particularly appealing to the player. Sporting director Deco is working on the financial side of the transfer, but the final price is not yet known.
Sources differ on the asking price. Club Brugge is demanding €40 million for their striker, while Barcelona hopes to secure him for around €30 million. Tportal, meanwhile, reports some sources suggesting a deal worth over €30 million, while Belgian and German sources state that the club is asking for more than €40 million.
The negotiating position of the Belgian champions is strong because Tresoldi has a contract until the summer of 2029, so they are not forced to sell below the price they have set.
Tresoldi joined Club Brugge, managed by Croatian coach Ivan Leko, last summer from Hannover 96. In his first season, he scored 23 goals and finished as the club's top scorer, establishing himself as one of the most promising young center-forwards in Europe.
He particularly stood out on the European stage. He scored goals in the Champions League, including one against Barcelona in a match that ended 3-3 in Bruges. Despite being 186 centimeters tall, he does not play as a typical center-forward who stays in the box, a style that suits Hansi Flick's tactics.
Tresoldi's life story is unusual. He was born in Cagliari and holds German, Italian, and Argentine citizenships, but he has decided to represent Germany internationally. He has progressed through the German youth categories and scored goals for the U21 team at the 2025 European Championship.
The German national team coach is closely monitoring his progress, and after a stellar season in Belgium, he is getting closer to a senior call-up. Besides Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Roma have previously shown interest in him.
An official agreement with Club Brugge has not yet been reached, but according to the latest news, negotiations have become more intense. If Barcelona manages to reduce the Belgian champions' financial demands, Tresoldi could be the Catalans' next major signing as a young striker.
