Arsenal is pursuing former Cercle Brugge forward Paris Brunner as a winter transfer target after missing out on Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, according to reports by VoetbalNieuws.be and TEAMtalk. The north London club’s search for attacking reinforcements gained urgency following a 2-1 League Cup defeat to fourth-tier side Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, a result that exposed ongoing questions about the depth of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal turns to Paris Brunner after missing out on Nicolo Tresoldi
Arsenal’s search for a January striker has shifted focus after attempts to secure Nicolo Tresoldi hit a roadblock. Club Brugge is reportedly unwilling to cooperate with a mid-season sale for Tresoldi, forcing the English club to explore alternative options in the Jupiler Pro League market. VoetbalNieuws.be reported that TEAMtalk identified Paris Brunner as a primary alternative on Arsenal’s recruitment radar.
🚨🆕 Arsenal and Chelsea are showing interest in Monaco striker Paris Brunner, who has had a spectacular start to the season 🔥Monaco's financial situation could mean a transfer is possible in January ⤵️@GraemeBailey | #AFC #CFC https://t.co/m6SbBS9D8p
Brunner spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Cercle Brugge, where the 20-year-old German forward made 28 appearances, largely as a substitute, and scored six goals. While his initial stint in Belgium yielded limited breakthrough impact, his trajectory shifted dramatically following his move to AS Monaco.
Paris Brunner breaks out at AS Monaco amid European interest
Brunner has experienced a rapid ascension at AS Monaco this season, contributing eight goals and one assist across his first ten appearances. That prolific run of form has caught the attention of several major European clubs alongside Arsenal. According to VoetbalNieuws.be, scouts from FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea are closely monitoring the young forward’s development.
🚨🆕 Arsenal and Chelsea are showing interest in Monaco striker Paris Brunner, who has had a spectacular start to the season 🔥 Monaco’s financial situation could mean a transfer is possible in January ⤵️ @GraemeBailey | #AFC #CFC
— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) October 28, 2026
Monaco’s financial positioning could create a viable opening for a January departure. The French club faced pressure to generate 150 million euros in player sales during the previous summer transfer window to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Because those projected targets fell short despite the departures of Maghnes Akliouche and Aladji Bamba, Monaco may be forced to cash in on one of their primary assets when the winter window opens.
League Cup exit exposes Arsenal squad limitations
Arsenal's winter transfer plans became more urgent after Fleetwood Town upset the Premier League side in the League Cup. Neither Kai Havertz nor summer acquisition Viktor Gyökeres has fully cemented the central attacking role to the satisfaction of the coaching staff, leaving Arsenal vulnerable in domestic and European competition.
With the January transfer window approaching, Arsenal faces competition from domestic rivals Chelsea and continental heavyweights for Brunner’s signature. Monaco’s need to balance accounts under Financial Fair Play rules remains the primary variable determining whether any European suitor can secure a mid-season deal for the in-form German forward.
