Arsenal are closing in on another attacking addition, with Christos Tzolis reportedly set to undergo a medical in London after Club Brugge left the Greece international out of their squad for a friendly against Heerenveen.
The 24-year-old winger has emerged as one of the latest major names to move closer to the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal having already agreed a deal with Club Brugge understood to be worth around £34 million. Sky Sports News reported that the transfer fee would represent a record sale for the Belgian Pro League, while the move is understood to be independent of Arsenal’s continued interest in Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers. ([Sky Sports][1])
Tzolis’ reported absence from the Club Brugge squad for the Heerenveen friendly has now added further fuel to suggestions that the transfer is entering its final stages. Reports indicate that the winger is expected to travel to London this weekend to complete his medical, although the formal completion of a transfer remains subject to the necessary procedures being finalised.
The development comes at an important time for Arsenal, who are looking to strengthen their attacking options after the departure of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas. Tzolis has been identified as the player who can help fill the void created by the experienced Belgian forward, with his ability to operate from the left side providing Mikel Arteta with another option in the final third. ([Sky Sports][1])
The move would represent a major moment in Tzolis’ career, particularly given his previous experience in English football. The Greek international spent time at Norwich City earlier in his career but struggled to establish himself as a regular first-team player in the Premier League. His subsequent spells away from England allowed him to rebuild his confidence and rediscover the form that had made him such a highly rated young player earlier in his career.
His performances at Club Brugge have completely changed the picture. After establishing himself as a key figure for the Belgian side, Tzolis has developed into one of the most productive attacking players in the league. Reports indicate that he enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, contributing 51 goals and assists in 52 appearances across all competitions. ([FootballTransfers][2])
Those numbers help explain why Arsenal have been prepared to invest heavily in bringing him back to England. The Gunners are not simply signing a player based on potential; they are acquiring an attacker who arrives after producing consistently impressive numbers at club level.
There is also an interesting element to the player’s reported decision to join Arsenal. Sky Sports News understands that once Tzolis became aware of interest from the Premier League champions, Arsenal quickly became his preferred destination. That reported desire appears to have played an important role in the progression of the deal, with the player seemingly keen to return to England and take on a new challenge at one of the country’s biggest clubs. ([Sky Sports][1])
For Arsenal, the transfer represents another statement of intent as they look to maintain their position at the top of English football. The club are coming off a Premier League title-winning campaign and are continuing to strengthen the squad with the aim of competing on multiple fronts.
Tzolis’ arrival would give Arteta greater depth and flexibility in attack. The Greek winger is primarily known for his work from the left, but his versatility allows him to operate in different attacking roles. That could be particularly valuable for Arsenal across a long season, where injuries, rotation and fixture congestion can place enormous demands on the forward line.
His arrival could also create an interesting battle for playing time. Arsenal already possess talented attacking options, and Tzolis will have to compete for his place in the starting XI. Rather than being guaranteed a regular position, the new signing would be expected to prove himself in training and matches before earning a consistent role.
That competition could ultimately benefit the team. Arteta has consistently emphasised the importance of having quality throughout his squad, and the addition of another productive winger would give him more tactical possibilities.
The timing of the transfer is also significant because Arsenal remain active in the market. The club have been linked with several high-profile attacking players, including Rogers and Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, while PSG winger Bradley Barcola has also reportedly been considered. However, Sky Sports News has made clear that the Tzolis deal is separate from Arsenal’s pursuit of Rogers, meaning the Greek winger’s arrival does not necessarily signal the end of Arsenal’s efforts to add another major attacking player. ([Sky Sports][1])
That could make Arsenal’s attack particularly exciting if the club are able to complete multiple deals. Tzolis would provide an additional option on the wing, while another major signing could further increase the team’s attacking depth.
There is, however, an important distinction between an agreed transfer and an officially completed transfer. While Arsenal and Club Brugge have reached an agreement over the fee, Tzolis must still complete his medical and the remaining formalities before the move can be considered fully concluded.
That is why his reported trip to London represents such an important next step. Medical examinations are a standard part of modern transfers, but they can also be viewed as a strong indication that negotiations have reached an advanced stage.
Club Brugge’s decision to leave the player out of their friendly has only increased the expectation that his time with the Belgian club is coming to an end. The club are now preparing for life without one of their most influential attacking players, while Arsenal supporters wait for confirmation that Tzolis has successfully completed the final stages of his move.
For the player himself, this represents an opportunity to rewrite his Premier League story. His previous experience in England did not go according to plan, but his development since leaving Norwich has been remarkable. At Club Brugge, he has rebuilt his reputation and established himself as a player capable of making a major impact in attack.
A move to Arsenal would now give him the chance to show that he is a completely different player from the one who previously struggled to make his mark in the Premier League.
The reported £34 million fee also makes the transfer particularly significant. According to Sky Sports, the figure would set a new Belgian Pro League record for a player leaving the division, highlighting just how highly Arsenal value the winger’s recent performances. ([Sky Sports][1])
For Arsenal, the challenge will be helping Tzolis translate his impressive form from Belgium to the Premier League. The intensity, physical demands and quality of opposition will be significantly higher, and expectations at a club competing for domestic and European honours will also be enormous.
But there is plenty of reason for optimism. The winger is entering his prime years, has experience of English football and arrives with a strong record of goals and assists behind him. His ability to contribute directly in the final third could prove particularly valuable for an Arsenal side looking to maintain their attacking threat throughout the campaign.
The reported transfer also demonstrates how Arsenal are continuing to build a squad with competition for every position. With Tzolis potentially joining the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in the attacking department, Arteta would have several different profiles available to him.
The next major step is now expected to be the completion of the medical and the finalisation of the transfer. If everything proceeds as expected, Tzolis will soon be able to begin the next chapter of his career in north London.
For Arsenal supporters, the prospect of seeing the Greek international arrive at the Emirates represents an exciting development in what promises to be another busy transfer window. His journey from a difficult spell in England to becoming one of Club Brugge’s most productive players has been impressive, and now he appears to be on the verge of another opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
The reported agreement is already in place, Club Brugge have left him out of their friendly, and the medical in London is reportedly next.
Now, Arsenal fans will be waiting for the final confirmation that Christos Tzolis is officially a Gunner. If the move is completed as expected, the Greek winger will have a chance to turn his remarkable resurgence into a new Premier League chapter—and Arsenal will hope that his goals and creativity can help them compete for even more major honours.
