Tzolis is an Arsenal player
Christos Tzolis has signed for Arsenal from Club Brugge for £34m/€40m (1) (2) (3). He is your first summer signing.
The Greek winger put up 22 goals and 29 assists last season (1). His numbers were better than Kylian Mbappé and Luis Diaz across the same period (1). Tzolis said afterwards: "I think I need some time to let it sink in. It's wonderful to sign for such a big club" (2).
He left a parting gift for his Club Brugge teammates before travelling (2) (5). The fee makes him the most expensive outgoing transfer in Belgian Pro League history (5).
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Arteta sees him as a Trossard replacement
Leandro Trossard is heading for the exit. Tzolis arrives as his direct replacement, a left-sided wide forward who can cut inside and score (3). Arsenal's recruitment team believe he is built for the biggest games (7).
There is also a belief inside the club that Tzolis can help unlock Viktor Gyokeres' full potential (8). The two have not played together before, but the tactical fit is clear on paper.
£70m Guimaraes bid is coming
Arsenal are preparing a formal £70m bid for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes (4) (11). The Brazilian midfielder is Mikel Arteta's key midfield target (11).
Newcastle's hierarchy are not happy. No official offer has arrived yet, and the public nature of Arsenal's intent has irritated them (9). A report on Friday suggests Newcastle will reject any bid (4).
Guimaraes himself is keen on the move to the champions (4). He is expected to report for pre-season training with Eddie Howe's squad in La Manga next week regardless.
Odegaard could be the price
One report claims Arsenal may consider offers for Martin Odegaard if the Guimaraes deal goes through (12). That would mean sacrificing your captain to reshape the midfield.
This is at the rumour stage. Nothing concrete from the club.
Arsenal walked away from Rogers at £117m
Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m (15). Arsenal were in the race but refused to meet Villa's asking price. That makes Rogers the most expensive British player ever (15).
Arsenal have since turned attention to PSG's Bradley Barcola as an alternative wide target (13). Liverpool believe they lead that race.
Gyokeres spotted at Trincão farewell
Viktor Gyokeres attended Francisco Trincão's farewell lunch in Portugal as Trincão prepares to join Al Ahli (6). Gyokeres posted "Grande equipa!" alongside the photo. Pre-season is close.
Hamburg want Vieira but cannot pay
Hamburg are pushing to keep Fabio Vieira permanently after his loan spell (10). Club executive Eric Huwer admitted: "Fabio is a fantastic player, and it feels like we're fighting for him every day. We've also backed up our interest with Arsenal with financial figures. But right now, no one's even flinching" (10).
Arsenal want to sell to raise funds. Hamburg cannot meet the valuation.
Defensive targets emerge
Sporting CP defender Zeno Debast has been offered to Arsenal via intermediaries as cover for injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber (14). Separately, Friday's gossip links Arsenal with Manchester City's John Stones and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa (16).
Fan reactions
Arsenal fans are split. The Tzolis signing has been met with cautious optimism, his numbers from Belgium doing a lot of the convincing. The Guimaraes pursuit is the real talking point. Many supporters are excited by the ambition of a £70m bid, but the Odegaard rumour has landed badly. The idea of losing the captain to fund a midfield reshuffle is not going down well. Read more on r/Gunners
