Arsenal are closing in on a deal worth up to £34m to sign Club Brugge forward Christos Tzolis, with the Greece international lined up as a direct replacement for Leandro Trossard following his move to Besiktas. The Premier League champions are also stepping up efforts to secure defensive cover amid fears that William Saliba could miss the start of the new season because of a persistent back problem, adding urgency to their summer transfer business.

Arsenal have verbally agreed to Club Brugge's asking price of up to €40m (£34m) for Tzolis, though a formal bid has not yet been submitted; the 24-year-old, who scored 22 goals last season and had previously interested Crystal Palace, is expected to undergo a medical shortly and sign a long-term deal. Trossard's exit was confirmed this week for €18m (£15.3m). Arsenal remain interested in further attacking additions, including Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and PSG's Bradley Barcola, while also considering Villa defender Ezri Konsa as potential cover for Saliba, who broke down again during the World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain and may require back surgery. The club also have fitness concerns over Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka after both played through pain at the tournament.