Why Arsenal could be set to sign the next Saka after agreement reached

The post-mortem continues following England‘s defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night, but from an Arsenal perspective, the priority will be the fitness and well-being of their Three Lions contingent.

The mind boggles at how that semi-final loss could come and go without seeing any Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke or Bukayo Saka take to the field, with Thomas Tuchel’s men reduced to such a needlessly defensive approach in the closing stages.

And then there’s Declan Rice, the 27-year-old flogged for all he’s worth in recent weeks, despite evident issues regarding both injury and illness, the former West Ham United man seemingly one of many to suffer following a lengthy, draining season back at club level.

The powerhouse midfielder needs a good old rest before even thinking about taking to the field again for the Gunners, with the same no doubt true of the aforementioned Saka following a frustrating few weeks for Mikel Arteta‘s prized possession.

Analysing Bukayo Saka’s frustrating World Cup

It says it all of Saka’s importance to the cause that Tuchel was so keen to select him, even amid the winger’s ongoing fitness woes, with the 24-year-old having been the star of successive tournaments since enjoying a breakout Euro 2020 campaign.

And yet, this is a tale we’ve seen before, with England managers of the past so often rushing players back early due to their reputation and status, not least in the case of Wayne Rooney in 2006.

Let’s face it, Saka could well have done with a summer of rest, rather than being reduced to mere cameos in recent weeks, the Hale End graduate never really looking up to speed on that right flank.

His brightest moment came amid his assist for Jude Bellingham against Mexico in the last-16, although even then the Gunners man was almost anonymous otherwise, subsequently replaced early in the second half.

That’s not to suggest that Saka was wholly a busted flush, memorably supplying the assist for Marcus Rashford’s clincher against Croatia, while it was also his corner which picked out Jude Bellingham to open the scoring against Panama.

Only five players have bettered that tally of three assists at the tournament, including club colleague Martin Odegaard (four), showcasing what Saka offers even when not at his best.

If only he could have entered the tournament in full flow, but alas, now is the opportunity for a break, while back in north London, Arsenal’s transfer dealings begin to click into gear under Andrea Berta’s watch.

How Arsenal could now sign the next Bukayo Saka

The right flank does appear rather secure with Arteta also boasting young Max Dowman, alongside Saka and Madueke, although it’s likely to be a summer of chance on the opposite flank.

Leandro Trossard has already moved on to Besiktas, while Gabriel Martinelli is attracting significant interest, the 25-year-old enjoying a promising World Cup with Brazil.

With both men looking likely to move on, they will need replacing, with the first player in the door expected to be Club Brugge sensation, Christos Tzolis.

As per reports in Italy, Tzolis looks to have already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with the Gunners.

The 24-year-old – who is set to fetch around £35m – has been scouted multiple times since the January window, having enjoyed such a stellar 2025/26 campaign in Belgium.

That has been followed by reports from David Ornstein, The Athletic journalist suggesting that an agreement has now been reached with Brugge, with the deal close to being finalised.

Whisper it quietly, but there is almost a Saka feel to Tzolis’ game, the Greek speedster such an asset both in front of goal and when supplying his teammates, having racked up a ridiculous haul of goal involvements.

Last term, for instance, he scored 17 goals and registered a further 23 in the Belgian Pro League, while also creating 25 ‘big chances’ and averaging 3.8 key passes per game.

For context, look back to Saka’s standout 2023/24 campaign, the Englishman registering 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, while creating 15 ‘big chances’ and averaging 2.6 key passes per game.

Tzolis boasts the superior record, but the fact he is operating outside of Europe’s big five leagues does need to be taken into account.

Indeed, perhaps a better comparison might be the pair’s form in the Champions League last time out, with Tzolis scoring and assisting three goals in ten games, while creating five ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.4 key passes per outing.

Saka’s record was remarkably similar, the left-footer contributing five goals and assists in 11 games, while creating three ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.5 key passes per game.

Both men also record an 83% pass accuracy rate, showcasing how, for all their attacking intent, they aren’t errant on the ball, the type of players you can trust to retain possession in tight areas on the flanks.

Excitingly too, Tzolis’ form isn’t a flash in the pan, with 25 goals and assists chalked up in 2024/25 in Belgium, the £35m man beginning to find some consistency after a difficult prior spell at Norwich City.

He’s direct and dynamic, a goal-scoring and creative threat, someone who could really freshen up Arteta’s forward line next season.

The Gunners do already have Saka on the opposite side, but the Englishman can’t do it all on his own, hence why bringing in another sparkling winger like Tzolis could be the perfect solution.