Andrea Berta has been tasked with bolstering the Arsenal frontline this summer, as Mikel Arteta looks to defend the Premier League title.
Christos Tzolis has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal ahead of the transfer window. The Gunners are expected to splash the cash again, despite having forked out £250million on new players last summer.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign the 24-year-old forward from Club Brugge, with Mikel Arteta eager to sign a new left winger. The report claims that the Gunners first contacted Juventus to enquire about the availability of Kenan Yildiz, but they were told in no uncertain terms that he was not for sale.
So, as a result, Andrea Berta turned his attention to Tzolis. It’s said that the potential arrival of the Greece international would not affect whether Arsenal pursues a deal for Morgan Rogers or an alternative target later in the summer.
Unlike Yildiz and Rogers, who each play in Europe’s top-five leagues and will star at the World Cup this summer, Tzolis is a slightly more modest target. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about the Greek ahead of a potential transfer to Arsenal.
Who is Christos Tzolis?
Tzolis, whose contract at the Jan Breydel Stadium expires in June 2029, featured 52 times for Club Brugge across all competitions last season, scoring 22 goals and providing 29 assists. The 24-year-old winger played a key role in Ivan Leko’s side as they won the Volkswagen Supercup and the Belgian Super Cup.
He was also crowned the Jupiler Pro League player of the season, an award previously scooped up by the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Vincent Kompany. Tzolis faced Arsenal in the league phase of the Champions League before leading Club Brugge to the knockout stage play-offs.
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The Belgian outfit were knocked out by Atletico Madrid, who the Gunners later defeated in the semi-finals. The Greek star predominantly plays on the left wing, though he has also played on the right and up front on a few occasions.
If Tzolis were to join Arsenal, it wouldn’t be his first rodeo in the Premier League; in August 2021, Norwich City signed the then-19-year-old from PAOK for £8.8m. Over three years, which included a couple of loan spells, he featured 27 times across the English top flight and Championship, scoring just one goal.
Why do Arsenal want to sign Christos Tzolis?
First and foremost, Arteta wants to bolster his attacking options this summer. But, perhaps more importantly, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard will each enter the final year of their respective contracts with Arsenal next month, casting doubt over their long-term future in north London.
How much will Christos Tzolis cost?
According to The Athletic, Arsenal believe that Tzolis could be available for around €40m (£34.5m). Transfermarkt reckon so too, claiming his stock has risen 60 per cent since the start of last season.
What has Christos Tzolis said about his future?
Last month, in an interview with Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, Tzolis provided an update on his future at Club Brugge. When asked what team could convince him to leave the Jan Breydel Stadium, the Greek forward said: “It will have to be a Champions League team from England, Germany, Spain, or Italy.
“Or well, if PSG comes knocking, I’ll probably go too, right? (laughs) Then I’ll say I love France. But only PSG is a better option in France than Club Brugge. There might be a few more possibilities in the Premier League.”
