Arsenal tracking Christos Tzolis and Bradley Barcola, Gunners seeking to strengthen attack — sources
Arsenal is tracking left-sided attackers Christos Tzolis and Bradley Barcola to bolster its forward line, according to ESPN. The move comes after the club ended a 22-year wait for a Premier League title and amid contract uncertainty surrounding current wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Why is Arsenal targeting new attackers?
The club is seeking to strengthen its attack from a position of strength following its recent league triumph. According to ESPN, uncertainty exists regarding the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both of whom have one year remaining on their contracts.
Trossard signed a new deal last summer, but ESPN reports that the agreement increased his salary without extending the length of the contract. The club holds an option to extend Martinelli’s deal by one year to 2028, though it remains unclear if the Gunners will offer extensions to either player.
Who are the primary targets for the forward line?
Arsenal has made initial contact with Club Brugge to explore a deal for 24-year-old Christos Tzolis, ESPN reports. Tzolis previously attracted interest from Crystal Palace last summer before choosing to sign a new contract in Belgium.
The club is also monitoring 23-year-old Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain. Barcola has two years left on his current deal. Reports in France suggest PSG may allow him to leave if a new contract is not finalized after several months of negotiations.
ESPN previously reported that Arsenal is interested in Atletico Madrid’s Julián Álvarez and Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers. While Rogers can play on the left, the club is specifically pursuing left-sided options to address squad depth.
What could happen next in the transfer window?
Competition for Bradley Barcola may increase, as ESPN reports that Liverpool is also monitoring the player’s situation. A move for the Frenchman could depend on whether PSG successfully ties him down to a new agreement.
Arsenal may utilize its option to extend Martinelli’s contract to 2028 to secure his long-term future. Alternatively, the club could finalize a deal for Tzolis following their initial inquiries with Club Brugge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players is Arsenal tracking for the left side?
According to ESPN, Arsenal is tracking Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
What is the contract situation for Martinelli and Trossard?
Both players have one year remaining on their contracts. Arsenal has an option to extend Martinelli’s deal to 2028, while Trossard’s deal last summer only increased his salary.
Who else is interested in Bradley Barcola?
ESPN reports that Liverpool is also monitoring Barcola’s situation at PSG.
Do you think Arsenal should prioritize new signings or extending the contracts of their current wingers?