We have reached an agreement with Club Brugge to sign Christos Tzolis, the Greece winger, in a deal worth 40 million euros, around £34m. David Ornstein of The Athletic reported the agreement on July 16, 2026, with the move described as in the process of being finalised. Sky Sports understands the fee to be a record for the Belgian Pro League.

Tzolis arrives as the direct replacement for Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas earlier this month in a £17m deal. He becomes our third signing of the summer after Piero Hincapie, whose loan from Bayer Leverkusen was made permanent, and Illan Meslier, who joined on a free transfer from Leeds United.

The 24-year-old prioritised a move to us throughout, according to Ornstein, and turned down the opportunity to hold talks with other interested clubs once he learned we were pushing for him. Nico Schira reported that Tzolis has agreed personal terms on a contract until 2031. The remaining paperwork and a medical are still to be completed before the deal is confirmed.

Tzolis rebuilt his career in Belgium after an underwhelming spell at Norwich City and a loan at FC Twente. He recorded 22 goals and 29 assists across 52 appearances for Club Brugge in the 2025-26 season, form that earned him the Belgian Footballer of the Year award and drew interest from across Europe. He is a left-sided attacker who carries the ball directly and works at high intensity, a profile that gives Mikel Arteta another option alongside Gabriel Martinelli on that flank.

Ornstein was clear that this deal is separate from our interest in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa. Signing Tzolis does not end the pursuit of the England international, and we could yet add both this summer as Andrea Berta reshapes the forward line.

The move addresses an immediate gap. We are one attacker down after selling Trossard, and Tzolis fills it with a player five years younger who is coming off the most productive season of his career. For £34m in the current market, that is strong business.