Club Brugge set to break €40m barrier for Christos Tzolis

De Club Brugge and Arsenal FC are on the verge of completing the transfer of 24‑year‑old Greek forward Christos Tzolis for a fixed fee of €40 million, a sum that can rise further through bonuses. The clubs are described as "nagenoeg eens" over the move, and a final medical will seal a five‑year contract. Arsenal have been keen to secure Tzolis because they need a left‑footed attacker after the departure of Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas two days ago. The English champions view the Greek as a direct replacement for the left‑winger, matching the profile they lost. The deal was driven by a negotiation team led by Club Brugge CEO Bob Madou, who sat down with Arsenal manager Andrea Berta. They were joined by Recruitment Director Guilian Preud’homme, chairman Bart Verhaeghe and his son Lucas Verhaeghe, the club's Recruitment Manager, who together forced the record transfer.

Club Brugge eyes record after Tzolis sale as Ordonez draws suitors

Tzolis arrived at Club Brugge two seasons ago from Fortuna Düsseldorf for €6 million. In 108 matches he recorded 43 goals and 45 assists, and he featured last Saturday against Feyenoord, a game that will likely be his final appearance for the Belgian side. Earlier this summer Crystal Palace tabled a €40 million offer for the striker, but the bid was rejected. The previous Director of Football Dévy Rigaux had convinced Tzolis to stay an extra season, extending his contract twice during the past year. The €40 million fee will make Club Brugge the first Belgian club to sell a player for more than that amount, breaking the "heilige 40 miljoen" barrier. Tomas TaeckeClubwatcher reported the news for HLN16, noting that the club previously added nearly €100 million in fixed transfer sums last campaign, including sales of Ardon Jashari for €36 million plus bonuses. Beyond the immediate windfall, the money strengthens Brugge’s summer record and supports future sales, such as the pending departures of Joel Ordonez and Raphael Onyedika. The club also benefits from earlier deals like Inter’s €23 million purchase of Aleksandar Stankovic, while the new stadium is seen as a further financial lever. Nog een duwtje en Christos Tzolis mag zich een speler van Arsenal FC noemen, confirming the deal’s imminent finalisation.