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Arsenal's next transfer confirmed ahead of official announcement
20 Jul 2026 14:51 BST |
4 min read
News
Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko has officially confirmed Christos Tzolis’ imminent move to Arsenal in a deal worth €40 million.
The Greece international will become the third player to join Mikel Arteta’s side on a permanent deal this summer, after Piero Hincapie and Illan Meslier, and the transfer is expected to be formally announced shortly.
A full agreement is in place for Tzolis to move to the Emirates Stadium and he is set to replace Leandro Trossard in Arteta’s squad following the Belgian’s surprise summer move to Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas.
Current ETV
Christos Tzolis
F, M, AM (L)
Brugge
Christos Tzolis
F, M, AM (L)
Brugge
ETV Range
€26.5M - €32.4M
When asked about Tzolis’ future following Club Brugge’s defeat to Heerenveen in a pre-season friendly on Friday, Leko confirmed that he will become an Arsenal player shortly.
“[I am] very happy for him [but] I am very sad for me on one side, because we are losing a top player,” he told DAZN (via The Evening Standard).
“This is one fantastic example of somebody who was first coming on the training base, last staying there. Every training was like a game for him, giving so much for his career, and then you get the reward to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”
Leko added: “[It is a] big thing for him, big thing for Club Brugge, big thing for Belgian football. Good lesson for all young boys that we have, that in football you need to work. Stop the talk, work, try to do everything to improve yourself day by day, exactly what Christos was doing.
“I am convinced that he will have his minutes, that he will show some highest level in the Premier League and Champions League at Arsenal, and he will show that he is a top player and absolutely deserves to go and be there.”
Analysis: How will Christos Tzolis fit in at Arsenal?
Tzolis scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists across all competitions for Club Brugge last season and he is currently expected to compete with Gabriel Martinelli for a starting XI place at Arsenal next term.
He may be demoted to a guaranteed back-up option if Arsenal are able to finalise the signing of another new left winger, amid rumoured interest in Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande, but he is expected to play a prominent role at the Emirates Stadium during his debut campaign.
Tzolis will almost exclusively be used on the left flank next term and his set-piece delivery could be key if Arsenal look to utilise dead-ball situations as expected in 2026-27.
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