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Few had Christos Tzolis down as a potential Arsenal signing at the start of the summer.
It is no secret that Mikel Arteta wants to add more goals and threat to his attacking options.
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The Gunners are eyeing more than one signing to bolster those options and the likes of Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers are among those being considered.
Andrea Berta makes enquiries for a large number of players when putting together a shortlist, before then narrowing his focus and intensifying discussions with clubs.
Christos Tzolis scored 22 goals for Club Brugge in all competitions last seasonBELGA/AFP via Getty ImagesAn agreement has been struck with Club Brugge for Tzolis and Standard Sport understands that the 24-year-old will cost in the region of 33million.
Arsenal still retain interest in more high-profile potential names. The decision to seriously pursue Tzolis is not expected to impact the club's ability to make a marquee signing alongside him.
Why are Arsenal signing Tzolis?
Tzolis was named the Belgian Pro League player of the season after a remarkable campaign in which he scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists.
He has scored more than 20 goals in both of his seasons in Belgium, after earning a move following an impressive loan spell at Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Tzolis has experience of both England and the Premier League from his time at Norwich, though he failed to score in 14 top-flight matches in the 2021-22 season.
The Greek winger has developed significantly since then. He has played primarily on the left but has also had minutes for Brugge on the right and even through the middle.
That versatility appeals to Arteta, who is particularly keen on players who add an unpredictable edge to his options.
Signing Tzolis would also be a more simple transfer than some of the other players Arsenal are monitoring, such as Rogers or Barcola.
Arsenal are keen to refresh their options on the left wing and have made the first step with the sale of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas.
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Tzolis makes sense as a replacement. He is similarly two-footed but offers more pace than Trossard and is seven years younger. If he can convert his form in Belgium to the Premier League, Tzolis also offers a real goal threat.
Mikel Arteta will be impressed by Christos Tzolis’ versatilityGettyImagesBringing in Tzolis would fill the gap left by Trossard’s departure, while still leaving Arsenal with the space in the squad and the funds to make more of a statement signing as well.
A fee of £33.8m in this market is not a huge risk. Breathing new life into Arteta's attacking options while leaving room to still move for the club's first-choice targets could prove to be smart business.