Arsenal’s transfer business under Andrea Berta is beginning to accelerate, with a deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis edging closer to completion.
Reports from Italy suggest the 24-year-old Greek winger has already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with the Gunners, following months of scouting since January.
The fee for Tzolis is expected to be in the region of £35 million, representing a significant but considered investment by Arsenal for a player in his prime years.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has since reported that an agreement has been reached with Club Brugge, with the deal now close to being finalised.
Tzolis arrives on the back of an extraordinary 2025/26 campaign in Belgium, having scored 17 goals and registered 23 assists in the Belgian Pro League alone.
He also created 25 big chances across the season and averaged an impressive 3.8 key passes per game, numbers that stand up against Europe’s elite operators.
For context, Bukayo Saka registered 25 goals and assists combined in his standout 2023/24 Premier League campaign, while averaging 2.6 key passes per game and creating 15 big chances.
In the Champions League last season, Tzolis scored and assisted three goals across ten appearances, creating five big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes per outing.
Saka’s Champions League record during the same competition was remarkably comparable, contributing five goals and assists in 11 games while averaging 1.5 key passes per match.
Both players also share an 83% pass accuracy rate, underlining their ability to retain possession while remaining consistent attacking threats on the flanks.
The signing makes considerable sense given the departures taking shape at the Emirates, with Leandro Trossard already having moved on to Besiktas this summer.
Gabriel Martinelli is also attracting significant interest following a promising World Cup with Brazil, meaning the left flank could soon require urgent reinforcement.
With Saka currently recovering from a frustrating World Cup campaign that saw him deployed despite ongoing fitness concerns, Arsenal need dependable wide options around him.
Saka’s return from the tournament with England was disappointing, reduced to cameos as Thomas Tuchel’s side exited following a semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night.
The 24-year-old did contribute assists against Mexico and Croatia, and his corner created Jude Bellingham’s opener against Panama, but he never appeared fully fit throughout.
Only five players bettered his tally of three assists at the tournament, including Arsenal club colleague Martin Odegaard, who registered four assists of his own.
Saka will now benefit from a proper rest period, with Mikel Arteta’s side hopeful of having their key man fully refreshed ahead of the new Premier League season.
Tzolis, meanwhile, offers an electrifying blend of pace, creativity and goal threat that carries a distinct resemblance to Saka’s own profile and playing style.
After a difficult spell at Norwich City earlier in his career, the Greek international has found genuine consistency, registering 25 goal involvements in Belgium in 2024/25 as well.
If the deal is finalised as expected, Arsenal will have signed a player capable of genuinely competing for a starting role while driving Arteta’s side forward next season.