A brilliant piece of business may have helped Arsenal save more than £100m as they chase Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring during the Copa Del Rey Semi-Final First Leg against FC Barcelona
Julian Alvarez has been a key target for Arsenal this summer(Image: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
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Christos Tzolis's electric start to his Arsenal career is set to allow the club to focus on getting in what they really need before the transfer window closes this summer – Julian Alvarez.
He may just be two games into his spell at the club, but the Greek winger already looks like an absolute steal at £34million. Tzolis has been nothing short of sensational so far.
He contributed two assists in the Community Shield romp over Manchester City and then tore Premier League new boys Coventry City apart on his home debut, having a hand in the first two goals.
A cursory look at player ratings from the match will show eights and nines. football.london's own Tom Canton said: "Arsenal might have found a real gem here, as the Greek kicked off his official Arsenal debut in style. He just looks incredibly dangerous with his ability to be so composed and make the right decisions in the final third."
Mikel Arteta was also left purring, saying: "The way he has played in the last few games has been phenomenal. He has an incredible variety of actions in the final third."
The man himself says he already feels at home with the champions, saying: "My team-mates make it easier for me when they finish the actions or give the pass to me.
"When you're champions of England, that means you're at the top level, so everything makes it easier, even for me as a new player, to adapt quickly. Thanks to my teammates, they're at the highest level."
Christos Tzolis
Christos Tzolis was superb against Coventry(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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The wingers' emergence could ultimately soften the blow of Arsenal missing out on signing Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. earlier in the summer. The Gunners were widely linked with a move for the Brazil international before he ultimately chose to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Had Arsenal got their hands on Vinicius Junior, Tzolis would probably have been confined to the bench so far. But the former Norwich City star's early form has made the Brazilian signing a new contract at Real Madrid look like a blessing in disguise.
He will also be lower maintenance than Vinicius and more likely to do the defensive work that Arteta demands of his wingers. Valuable commodities in a title race.
The Gunners would have needed to shell out a whopping £140m for Vinicius. In effect, Tzolis has saved the club £106m, which can now be diverted to towards Julian Alvarez, whose move from Atletico Madrid appears to be back on the table.
Julian Alvarez of Argentina
Julian Alvarez could be on his way to Arsenal after all(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Various reports claim Diego Simone's side are now willing to do business with the Gunners. Understandably, doing a deal with Arsenal would be preferable over a sale to direct La Liga rivals Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Signing Alvarez would be a huge statement of intent and make the Gunners even bigger title favourites. The prospect of Arteta having the exciting Tzolis to provide Alvarez with the ammo to fire the club to glory is a mouthwatering prospect.
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