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Manager confirms Arsenal transfer deal imminent after £34m agreement reached
Jul 17 2026 18:47 · By Ryan Taylor · 7 Reads
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Club Brugge boss Ivan Leko has confirmed Christos Tzolis is set to complete a transfer to Arsenal .
The Greek international attacker, who was named Belgian Jupiler Pro League Player of the Year last term following a goal-laden campaign, was left out of Brugge's squad for their pre-season friendly against Dutch outfit Heerenveen on Friday.
Leko revealed Tzolis is finalising a return to the Premier League where he will join the champions following a previous spell with Norwich City .
He explained: "It's a fantastic example, someone who was first coming to the training base, whose last training session was like a game for him, giving so much for his career.
"Then you get to go to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, big thing for him, big thing for Club Brugge and big thing for Belgian football.
"Good lesson for all young boys that in football you need to work, stop to talk, work, try to do everything to improve yourself day by day.
"On one side I'm very happy for him but very sad for me as we are losing a top player.
"I am convinced that he will have his minutes that he will show on highest level in Premier League and Champions League that he will show he's a top player and that he absolutely deserves to be there."
Tzolis, who hit 22 goals and registered 29 assists last season, is set to replace Leandro Trossard following his switch to Turkish side Besiktas.
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He will join the Gunners, subject to a successful medical, in a deal worth a base fee of £34million.
Arsenal are also ready to step up their interest in Morgan Rogers and are due to formally approach Aston Villa with a view to discussing a transfer.
The Premier League champions also hold an interest in versatile England international Ezri Konsa and Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix amid William Saliba's back injury.
Konsa has two years left to run on his contract at Villa Park and could be open to a move to the Emirates, though there is thought to be a large gap in valuation between the kind of money Unai Emery's Europa League winners would command and what Arsenal would be willing to pay.