With Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas now confirmed, the Gunners have turned their attention to Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis. And according to multiple reports, a deal could be wrapped up before pre-season kicks off on Monday, July 20.
It’s a move that makes sense on every level. But can Arsenal get it over the line this quickly?
Why Tzolis Is Arsenal’s Top Pick
Greek journalist Konstantinos Lianos reported that Tzolis’s move to Arsenal will “probably be finalised” by Monday. That’s when Mikel Arteta’s squad officially regroups for pre-season, and the World Cup wrapping up gives the club a clearer picture of squad availability.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the interest runs deep. According to Romano, Tzolis turned down approaches from rival clubs to wait for Arsenal. His camp reportedly told another interested party, “We are waiting for Arsenal.”
That kind of commitment says a lot.
Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad reported that Arsenal have already held exploratory talks with Club Brugge. AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund are all circling too. But the Emirates is understood to be Tzolis’s preferred destination, and personal terms shouldn’t be an obstacle.
So what exactly are Arsenal getting? Here’s a snapshot of his 2025/26 season across all competitions:
- 22 goals and 29 assists in 52 appearances
- 17 league goals and 23 league assists in the Belgian Pro League
- Named Belgian Footballer of the Year
- Helped Club Brugge win the Pro League title
Those numbers are hard to ignore for any club, let alone one actively searching for a left-wing option.
Trossard’s Exit Opens the Door
Arsenal officially confirmed Trossard’s departure on July 15. The Belgian joined Besiktas in a deal worth up to £17m after making 174 appearances for the Gunners. He scored 36 goals and provided 34 assists during his time at the Emirates — including that stoppage-time equaliser in the 2023 Community Shield.
Sky Sports noted that Arsenal view the left wing as a position needing serious attention this summer. Gabriel Martinelli managed just one Premier League goal last season. With Trossard gone, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta need reinforcements fast.
Tzolis fits the brief perfectly. He’s 24, left-footed, comfortable cutting inside from the wing, and he’s been doing it consistently in European competition. His Champions League experience with Club Brugge — including matches against Arsenal last season — adds another layer of readiness.
Even Thierry Henry has weighed in. The Arsenal legend said of Tzolis: “He is explosive. I watched him closely last season. He is that kind of winger who is not afraid to take on defenders and he loves scoring.”
What Will It Cost?
Reports from TEAMtalk and Ben Jacobs suggest the deal could land somewhere between £30m and £35m. Club Brugge rejected a €40m offer from Crystal Palace earlier in the window, according to HLN, and they want a club-record fee — higher than the €37.5m AC Milan paid for Charles De Ketelaere in 2022.
If completed at that price, Tzolis would become the most expensive Greek footballer in history, surpassing Konstantinos Manolas’s €36m move to Napoli.
It’s not cheap. But for a 24-year-old who delivered 51 goal contributions in a single season, it looks like smart business in today’s market.
Arsenal fans will remember that Tzolis previously spent time at Norwich City, where he struggled to make an impact. But a loan spell at Fortuna Dusseldorf — where he scored 22 goals in one season — reignited his career. Club Brugge snapped him up for just €5.5m. That investment has paid off spectacularly.
With pre-season starting Monday and the transfer window heating up, all signs point to Tzolis becoming a Gunner very soon. Whether it happens before or after July 20 remains the only real question. The player wants it. The clubs are talking. And Arteta needs the firepower.
Don’t be surprised if this one moves fast.
