Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Friday, July 24, 2026
Arsenal Complete £34m Signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge
Arsenal have signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in a £34m deal, a record for the Belgian Pro League. The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates as the direct replacement for Leandro Trossard, who departed to Turkish side Besiktas for £17m. Tzolis was one of Belgium’s most productive attackers last season, scoring 22 goals and adding 29 assists in 52 appearances for Club Brugge. A Greece international with 34 caps, he can play across the front line but favours the left. He previously represented Norwich City in the Premier League before spells at FC Twente and Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Sources: Sky Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Aston Villa Secure Alejandro Garnacho on Loan from Chelsea with Conditional Buy Clause
Aston Villa have confirmed the loan signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea, with a conditional obligation to buy described as easily achievable. The deal was structured as a loan partly to comply with UEFA rules on player exchanges following Villa’s sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a British-record £117m. Garnacho joined Chelsea last summer from Manchester United for £40m but did not report for pre-season training at Stamford Bridge, making clear his desire to leave. The Argentina international winger was keen to secure a move away from the club. Chelsea’s asking price for a permanent transfer is understood to be around £42.6m.
Sources: Sky Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Saliba Faces Extended Absence After World Cup Back Injury — Arsenal Eye Stones and Konsa
Arsenal have confirmed that William Saliba will miss an extended period after the France international central defender was substituted in the 30th minute of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain with a back injury. Arsenal’s statement read: “Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.” Saliba had played an integral role in France’s run to the semi-finals. Sky Sports reports Arsenal are now targeting centre-back cover, with interest in free agent John Stones and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, whom Villa have valued at £60m.
Sources: Sky Sports (injury) Sky Sports (targets) Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Barcelona Confirm Karim Adeyemi Signing from Borussia Dortmund on Five-Year Deal
Barcelona have officially announced the signing of Germany international Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, the Spanish champions’ second summer addition after the €70m arrival of England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. The deal is worth an initial €22m, potentially rising to €29m with add-ons, and Adeyemi has signed a contract with Barcelona until 2031. The 24-year-old leaves Dortmund after four seasons. Coach Hansi Flick was the driving force behind the move, having given Adeyemi his Germany international debut and remaining a key influence on the player during his time as national team manager.
Milan Extend Modric to 2027, Sign Diawara and Host Owner Cardinale for Transfer Summit
AC Milan have extended Luka Modric’s contract for a further season through to the summer of 2027 and confirmed the signing of 20-year-old Troyes defender Sankhoun Diawara, beating Rangers to the French second-tier player according to Footmercato. Owner Gerry Cardinale visited the club’s Milanello training ground on Thursday for a transfer summit with coach Ruben Amorim and club directors. Milan have already invested approximately €100m this summer on striker Goncalo Ramos and defender Mario Gila. Young forward Francesco Camarda has signed a new contract until 2031, while the potential exits of Rafael Leao and Pervis Estupinan are being managed.
Sources: Football Italia (round-up) Football Italia (Cardinale) Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Napoli Confirm De Bruyne Is Not for Sale as Buongiorno Faces Knee Surgery
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will not leave the club this summer and remains part of the project under new head coach Massimiliano Allegri, despite public comments from the Belgian midfielder that the club found unwelcome. Manna also cited FFP compliance requirements as a constraint on summer spending. Separately, Napoli confirmed Alessandro Buongiorno requires knee surgery and faces two to three months on the sideline, a blow that threatens to leave the club short of defensive cover at the start of the 2026–27 Serie A campaign.
Sources: Football Italia Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Inter Milan Lead Race for Cristian Romero as Tottenham Hold Out for €50m
Inter Milan have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the Nerazzurri have scheduled a meeting with the Argentine’s agent. Tottenham are demanding €50m for the 28-year-old, a figure Inter consider too high, with the Italian club preferring a structure involving a loan and an obligation to buy at approximately €35m–40m. Romero, who was forced off during Argentina’s World Cup Final this summer, is keen to return to Serie A. Barcelona are also credited with interest, but reports from Argentina place Inter ahead in the race for the Tottenham defender.
Sources: Football Italia Football Italia (talks) Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2025–26 Season Champions
League Winners
🏆 Premier League — Arsenal
🏆 La Liga — Barcelona
🏆 Bundesliga — Bayern Munich
🏆 Serie A — Inter Milan
🏆 Ligue 1 — Paris Saint-Germain (5th straight)
🏆 Champions League — PSG (beat Arsenal on pens)
2026–27 UEFA Qualifying
Champions League Q2 (1st legs played Jul 22)
Second legs: July 28–29
Third qualifying round draw held July 20
League Seasons
Premier League kicks off mid-August 2026
Bundesliga/Ligue 1 window closes Aug 31
La Liga/Serie A window closes Sep 1
Curated by JD · samwise.agency