An Arsenal has been confirmed by Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko with Greek international attacker Christos Tzolis joining the Premier League champions
Christos Tzolis is on the verge of completing a transfer to Arsenal, Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko has confirmed. Tzolis, who was crowned Belgian Jupiler Pro League Player of the Year last season after a prolific campaign, was absent from Brugge’s squad for their pre-season friendly against Dutch side Heerenveen on Friday.
The Greek international has been widely linked to the Gunners as Leandro Trossard makes his departure from the Emirates. Mikel Arteta has been keen to strengthen his forward options this summer.
Leko revealed that Tzolis is set to finalise a return to the Premier League, where he will link up with the champions, having previously had a spell with Norwich City. The Brugge boss is convinced that Tzolis will make an impact in north London.
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He said: “It’s a fantastic example, someone who was first coming to the training base, whose last training session was like a game for him, giving so much for his career.
“Then you get to go to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, big thing for him, big thing for Club Brugge and big thing for Belgian football.
“Good lesson for all young boys that in football you need to work, stop to talk, work, try to do everything to improve yourself day by day. On one side I’m very happy for him but very sad for me as we are losing a top player.
“I am convinced that he will have his minutes that he will show on highest level in Premier League and Champions League that he will show he’s a top player and that he absolutely deserves to be there.”
Tzolis, who netted 22 goals and registered 29 assists last season, is expected to fill the void left by Leandro Trossard following his departure to Turkish club Besiktas.
The winger will join the Gunners, pending a successful medical, in a deal with a base fee of ยฃ34million. Arsenal are also preparing to intensify their pursuit of Morgan Rogers, with a formal approach to Aston Villa expected imminently to explore the possibility of a deal.
The Premier League champions have additionally turned their attention to versatile England international Ezri Konsa and Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix as cover for William Saliba’s back injury.
Konsa has just two years remaining on his current deal at Villa Park and may be receptive to a move to the Emirates, although a significant disparity is believed to exist between Unai Emery’s Europa League winners’ valuation and what Arsenal are prepared to spend.
Saliba could be out for months after the pain from a longstanding back injury became unbearable during France’s World Cup defeat to Spain.
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