Arsenal primed to pounce for ‘explosive’ Tzolis as Trossard nears Besiktas exit

Arsenal are lining up a swift move for Club Brugge livewire Christos Tzolis the moment Leandro Trossard’s switch to Besiktas is rubber-stamped — and the player only wants the Emirates. That’s the word from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who says talks with Tzolis’s camp have the Gunners in pole position should the dominoes fall this week.

Trossard’s £17m departure is understood to be at the final stages after his representative held discussions in Istanbul, and once that’s signed off, expect Arsenal to hit the accelerator on a new winger. Tzolis, the Greek international, is at the top of the list and, crucially, he’s prioritising North London over other suitors.

No surprise there when you clock his output: 22 goals and 29 assists across all competitions in 2025/26. Those are video‑game numbers, and they’ve dragged admirers from across the continent into the conversation — but Romano says the player’s side have effectively told others to wait their turn while Arsenal make their play. There’s even a feeling personal terms won’t be a stumbling block.

Romano’s line is clear enough: if Trossard goes, Arsenal move — and Tzolis is keen to make that move to Mikel Arteta’s project. Another club has tried to muscle in recently, but the response from the winger’s camp has been consistent: we’re holding for Arsenal.

Trossard exit unlocks winger push

Arteta is refreshing the left flank this summer. Trossard is edging to the door and there’s been chatter — however muted — around Gabriel Martinelli’s future as well. The plan, as briefed, is two wide arrivals if the numbers line up, with Tzolis earmarked as the direct Trossard replacement.

Why Tzolis fits Arteta’s brief

The 22-year-old is exactly the sort Arsenal love to polish: quick off the mark, sharp in tight spaces, and devastating on the break. The comparisons with Trossard’s pre‑Premier League vintage are neat too — at a similar age in Belgium, Trossard returned 22 goals and 10 assists for Genk. Different players, same league pedigree, and both with the courage to keep making things happen in the final third.

Arsenal have been stung before waiting for a talent to pass through a stepping‑stone club; this time, they look ready to cut out the middleman and back their development environment. There’s risk with any jump from the Jupiler Pro League, but the upside here is obvious — goals, creativity and a relentless runner who’ll press on cue.

Other names on the radar

This move wouldn’t preclude a marquee addition on the opposite side. Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola remain in the frame, while Juventus talent Kenan Yildiz has also been floated. The strategy is clear: blend a high-ceiling project like Tzolis with a proven wide man if the market allows.

Arsenal are firmly in the box seat for Tzolis right now — and if you’re tracking transfer odds and market movers across the window, our guide to the best betting sites is a handy pit stop while the Gunners get their ducks in a row.

The bottom line

Seal Trossard to Besiktas, then expect Arsenal to press go on Tzolis. The player wants the Emirates, the Gunners like the profile, and the timing suits everyone. If Edu and Arteta close this one, it looks a tidy, forward‑thinking piece of business — and a very modern way to replace Trossard without losing end product.