The Premier League champions aren’t standing still. Arsenal have agreed to sell Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, and Christos Tzolis is ready and waiting to take his place at the Emirates.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Greek winger has turned down interest from another club just to hold out for Arsenal. That’s a strong statement of intent from a 24-year-old who tore the Belgian Pro League apart last season.
So what’s the hold-up? One man’s decision.
The Trossard Domino
Everything hinges on Trossard saying yes to Besiktas. Arsenal and the Turkish club have already struck a deal worth €18m plus €2m in add-ons, as reported by The Athletic. Personal terms are close too, with a four-year contract on the table.
But the 31-year-old Belgian hasn’t given his final green light yet. He’s been focused on Belgium’s World Cup campaign and wants to settle his future once that’s over.
Romano laid it out clearly on his YouTube channel: “Besiktas have an agreement done with Arsenal for Leandro Trossard. €18m plus €2m in add-ons, so a package of €20m.”
Trossard delivered 8 goals and 11 assists for Arsenal last season. He’s been a reliable contributor since his arrival from Brighton in 2023. But with just one year left on his contract, the Gunners are making a calculated call — sell now, reinvest wisely.
It’s not sentimental. It’s smart business for a club that wants to stay at the top.
Why Tzolis Makes Sense
If you only remember Tzolis from his forgettable stint at Norwich City in 2021-22, it’s time to update the file. The winger is a completely different player now.
His numbers at Club Brugge last season speak for themselves:
- 17 goals and 23 assists in 36 Belgian Pro League appearances
- 22 goals and 29 assists across all 52 matches
- Named Belgian Pro League Player of the Season
- Helped Brugge win the league title
He ranked first in the entire division for assists and third for goals. A goal involvement every 59 minutes isn’t something you can ignore.
Club Brugge paid just €6m for him from Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2024. If this £35m deal goes through, as The Sun reports, it’ll represent a massive return for the Belgian club. It would also make Tzolis the most expensive Greek footballer in history.
He’s 24, direct, comfortable on the left, and capable of playing across the front line. That’s exactly what Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have been looking for.
The Bigger Picture at Arsenal
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Tzolis deal is being treated separately from Arsenal’s pursuit of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, according to Romano.
Rogers remains Arsenal’s top attacking target. But Villa’s reported £130m asking price is proving difficult to crack. That chase could drag on for weeks.
Tzolis, on the other hand, is ready to move now. He’s keen, his club is willing to sell, and the fee is reasonable for a Premier League champion’s budget. This isn’t an either-or situation — Arsenal could land both players this summer.
TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reported as far back as June 13 that Arsenal were stepping up their interest in Tzolis. Since then, every update has pushed this deal closer.
Romano confirmed on July 12: “Christos Tzolis wants the move and put another proposal on hold to wait for AFC.”
When a player actively rejects other offers to wait for you, that tells you everything about his commitment. Arsenal just need Trossard to finalise his exit, and this transfer should follow quickly.
For a club that won the league last season and reached the Champions League final, this kind of sharp, efficient squad management is how you stay competitive. Sell the 31-year-old. Buy the 24-year-old who’s hungry and proven. Keep moving forward.
The domino is set. It just needs the first push.
