Arsenal are best placed to sign Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis this summer, according to reports from Voetbal Primeur.
The Premier League champions have identified the Greece international as a priority target to strengthen their left-wing options ahead of next season.
Arsenal have been monitoring the former Norwich City man for some time and reportedly hold “all the cards” to secure his signature ahead of rival clubs.
Club Brugge are expected to demand a club-record fee for the winger, potentially surpassing the £34 million agreed for Ardon Jashari’s move to AC Milan last summer.
Tzolis enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Brugge, contributing 22 goals and 29 assists across just 52 appearances in all competitions.
He also impressed in the Champions League, scoring against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid while providing an assist against Barcelona.
Arsenal currently rely on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli as their specialist left-sided options, but the pair managed just one Premier League goal between them during the back end of last season.
The Gunners have reportedly explored bigger-name targets such as Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola to address the left flank more decisively.
Securing both Barcola and Rogers simultaneously appears unlikely given playing time concerns, meaning Tzolis could slot in as a strong deputy option alongside a marquee signing.
Trossard’s contract expires in June next year, meaning his departure could coincide with Tzolis potentially arriving at the Emirates to freshen up the squad.
Martinelli also has a deal running until next summer, with an option for a further twelve months, and could also make way if Arsenal land a high-profile left winger.
At a little over £34 million, Tzolis represents a potentially shrewd acquisition for a club with clear ambitions to challenge for trophies consistently at the highest level.