Aston Villa and Manchester United have made enquiries about Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis, as he looks set for a record-breaking departure this summer.
Gazet van Antwerpen report on the 24-year-old today and his likely departure from Club Brugge in the coming months.
Record departure
The newspaper reports that Christos Tzolis appears destined to be the new record departure from Belgian football this summer.
His ‘staggering figures’ of 19 goals and 24 assists this season, with five goals and five assists in the play-offs, has Europe taking notice. A record of 40 goals and 40 assists in 105 games for the Belgian club doesn’t hurt either.
He is ‘whirling through’ the Jupiler Pro League, beating teams on his own week by week and ‘singlehandedly’ putting the title race to bed. That is his sole focus for now, but the transfer window is looming.
Brugge intend to get a record fee if anyone makes a serious approach. Tzolis’ name has been circulating for a while. Last summer, Atalanta, Sporting Club de Portugal, AS Roma and Bologna inquired about him. Crystal Palace offered €32m and 2.5x ties his wages.
Brugge rejected their advances and the Greek respected that. But now the situation is different. He believes he’s completed his cycle at the club and is ready to move on. A top transfer is on the horizon for him.
Aston Villa and Manchester United
According to Gazet van Antwerpen’s information, Juventus, Aston Villa and ‘especially’ Manchester United have shown interest in recent weeks. They will have to pay big to get him, though.
Brugge want Christos Tzolis to be the new record departure in Belgium. That is currently held by Ardon Jashari, who joined AC Milan for €36m last summer. Any deal for the winger will have to be above that price.
Whether Aston Villa or Manchester United would pay such a fee, remains to be seen. But with both now securing Champions League football, money shouldn’t be too hard to come by this summer.
