Jurgen Klopp facing major blow as best player to fix 12-year problem could switch allegiance

Germany face losing striker prospect Nicolo Tresoldi to Italy despite Klopp seeking to fill the No.9 void left by Klose's 2014 retirement.

Raphael Honigstein has highlighted Germany's ongoing struggle to find a world-class striker since Miroslav Klose retired after winning the 2014 World Cup. New manager Jurgen Klopp is tasked with solving a 12-year problem, with options including Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, but Honigstein identified Club Brugge's Nicolo Tresoldi as the best potential solution.

However, Tresoldi, 22, poses a complication: born in Italy but a Germany Under-21 international, he is reportedly in talks with the Italian Football Federation about switching allegiance. The striker has impressed in Belgium's Pro League this season with seven goals in nine games, and scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Inter Milan this month. He narrowly missed Germany's World Cup squad under Julian Nagelsmann, who suggested his time would come, but Tresoldi is now considering a move to represent Italy instead.