Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign one of Mikel Arteta's top targets after Leandro Trossard's exit was confirmed
Arsenal are plotting a £34m move for Christos Tzolis.
Arsenal are plotting a £34m move for Christos Tzolis.(Image: Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement with Club Brugge to sign winger Christos Tzolis for £34million. The 24-year-old, formerly on the books of Norwich City as a teenager, is set to complete his permanent move to the Emirates Stadium in the coming days.
Mikel Arteta has been monitoring Tzolis for several months and moved for the Greece international after Leandro Trossard's deal to join Besiktas was finalised. The Belgian, 31, is heading to Turkey in a £18m deal, freeing up the Gunners to sign Tzolis.
He is expected to put pen to paper on a long-term contract, having already agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions. According to The Athletic, Arsenal will pay a flat £34m fee for his services after striking an agreement with his team Club Brugge.
Their report claims the move is in the process of being finalised, with Tzolis giving his priority to joining the north London outfit after attracting interest from other clubs. Despite moving to sign a left-winger, it is not likely to affect the Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta's pursuit of Aston Villa's England international Morgan Rogers.
Arsenal had initially targeted Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz to solve their problems on the left flank. However, the Serie A rebuffed their enquiry for the Turkish winger, 21, and the Gunners moved onto other targets.
Tzolis, who was under contract until June 2029, enjoyed a phenomenal campaign with the Belgian giants. He registered an incredible return of 22 goals and 29 assists in 51 appearances in 2025/26, including goals against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Crystal Palace were keen on signing Tzolis last summer after selling Eberechi Eze to Arsenal. However, they were priced out of a move and eventually captured Yeremy Pino from Villarreal.
His first spell in England came back in 2020 when he signed for Norwich from PAOK, but struggled to make an impression in his 30 appearances for the Canaries. He had loans with FC Twente and Fortuna Dusseldorf before joining the German side in January 2024.
Christos Tzolis has been linked with a move to Arsenal
Christos Tzolis played against Arsenal in the Champions League(Image: Peter De Voecht / Photonews via Getty Images)
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Tzolis then moved to Brugge just six months later where he found his feet. He has won 34 caps for Greece, scoring nine goals for the Euro 2004 winners.
Tzolis becomes Arteta's third summer signing, following Piero Hincapie's loan move being made permanent and the arrival of free agent Ilan Meslier, who was released by Leeds United. The Spaniard is expected to launch more high-profile moves this summer as he looks to successfully defend their title, having ended a 22-year wait for domestic success.
One of the crucial members of their title-winning squad has already sealed his departure after Arsenal confirmed Trossard's departure earlier this week. In a statement, they said: “We can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Besiktas for the permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard.
Belgium's Leandro Trossard (10) celebrates after scoring against New Zealand during their World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Leandro Trossard is joining Besiktas from Arsenal
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“With a transfer fee agreed, Leo, 31, has been granted permission to travel to Istanbul to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of his move to the Turkish Super Lig club. We will provide a further update once the transfer has been completed.”
Tzolis is now expected to complete his move subject to a medical and signing his contract. If it all goes ahead without a hitch, he could join his new team-mates for Arsenal's pre-season friendlies, which begins with a game against Girona on August 1.