Arsenal’s move to sell Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş is expected to push the club closer to Christos Tzolis. The deal for Trossard, who travelled to Istanbul earlier this week and completed a medical at a hospital in the city, could leave Arsenal with up to £17.1 million to put toward their next forward signing.
That is why Tzolis is being searched now. Sport reported that Arsenal interest in the Club Brugge winger will be accelerated, and Club Brugge are anticipating that an offer will soon arrive. Arsenal have been weighing their next step while Trossard’s move moves on, and Tzolis fits the profile of a younger option who has already had a breakout season in Belgium.
The numbers behind the interest are substantial. Tzolis produced 51 goals and assists in 52 appearances across all competitions last season, a return that has lifted his stock sharply. It could take about £30 million for Arsenal to complete a transfer, which would make him a more expensive target than the money coming in from Trossard, but still one that suits a club looking to refresh its forward line without immediately overcommitting.
His performance for Greece last month only strengthened that case. Maurizio Micheli watched him during a 2–2 pre-World Cup friendly with Sweden, where Tzolis recorded an assist, led the match with four chances created and had the most touches in the opponent’s box with five. Those are the sort of details clubs notice when they are trying to judge whether a player can carry form from one setting into another.
There is, though, a catch that keeps the picture from becoming neat. Even if Arsenal pursue Tzolis as a younger version of Trossard, the feeling remains that they may still chase a more expensive and versatile forward with greater star power. In other words, Tzolis may be part of the rebuild, not the whole plan.
That leaves the immediate question in plain view. Club Brugge expect an offer, Arsenal have room after the Trossard sale, and the case for moving now is stronger than it was a week ago. What is still not confirmed is whether Arsenal will make the formal approach that turns interest into a transfer.
