Arsenal kick off summer spending spree with €40m Christos Tzolis deal

Arsenal have agreed a €40 million deal to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, according to insider of insider sources, marking the start of what is expected to be a busy summer window at the Emirates. The Greece international winger is coming off a spectacular 2025/26 campaign in which he scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in all competitions, leading Brugge to the Belgian Pro League title and earning himself the Belgian Footballer of the Year award. Mikel Arteta is eager to overhaul his forward options despite last season’s Premier League triumph, and Tzolis is the first piece of that rebuild. Leandro Trossard has already left the club this summer, while Gabriel Martinelli is reportedly available as well. Meanwhile, Arsenal appear to have lost the race for Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid striker has made it clear he wants to join Barcelona, who have already lodged a £100 million (€118 million) bid. The North London side could probably outbid the Blaugrana, but Alvarez’s preference is said to be a move to Catalonia. In other outgoings, Christian Norgaard is on Crystal Palace’s radar just one year after joining Arsenal from Brentford. The Danish midfielder managed only 101 minutes of Premier League action last season and could be allowed to leave. Gabriel Jesus is also being lined up for an exit. Arsenal are open to offers around £20 million (€23.6 million) for the striker, with Milan leading the chase. Flamengo, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Besiktas and Fenerbahce have all expressed interest. Jesus would be open to returning to his boyhood club Palmeiras, though the Brazilian side face financial hurdles. On the academy front, 17-year-old goalkeeper Remi Lupinski has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal. The former MK Dons youngster made 10 Premier League 2 appearances for the Under-18s last season and said: “It feels amazing, a very proud day for me and my family. It’s another milestone reached and I can’t wait for the season to begin.”