Arsenal are preparing a £34m bid for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis after the Greek international scored 43 goals in two seasons for the Belgian club, with a further 23 for Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany's second division during 2023-24.
The Athletic reports that the Gunners are pursuing the 24-year-old, with the move having no bearing on any potential deal for Morgan Rogers. Mikel Arteta is eager to add quality to his left flank and has also targeted Aston Villa's Rogers, as well as Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola — either of whom could command fees approaching £80m.
“Arsenal prepare £34m bid for Tzolis as Arteta wants double swoop, but Rogers has reportedly chosen his next club.”
Arsenal spent approximately £250m last summer on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, but Arteta is determined to strengthen further. The club approached Juventus about Kenan Yildiz, only to be told the Turkish international is not for sale.
Tzolis has already indicated he would only join a Champions League club. When asked what calibre of team might tempt him, he told Nieuwsblad: "It will have to be a Champions League team from England, Germany, Spain, or Italy. Or well, if PSG comes knocking, I'll probably go too, right? (laughs) Then I'll say I love France. But only PSG is a better option in France than Club Brugge. There might be a few more possibilities in the Premier League."
Rogers, 23, has excelled for Aston Villa this campaign and is currently away with the England squad, poised to feature prominently under Thomas Tuchel. However, the Evening Standard reports that neither signing would come easy this summer, with Rogers having 'chosen his next club'.
Arteta, speaking after Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to PSG, urged the board to show intent. "First of all, I will take a few days with my family and then we will start the process to review what we have done," he said. "We will have to start making some very important decisions."
With both targets potentially costing significant fees, the coming weeks will test whether Arsenal can land the reinforcements Arteta demands.