Crystal Palace told only “massive bid” will land Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge

Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Christos Tzolis has resurfaced in Belgium, where Het Nieuwsblad detail how the club rejected a substantial summer offer and remain adamant they will not allow him to leave in January. The winger was one of Palace’s preferred attacking targets in August, with the Eagles submitting a written bid of €32 million. Although the player was keen on the move, Club Brugge refused to negotiate.

Tzolis “secretly hoped” the transfer to Selhurst Park would go through, according to the report, but he quickly accepted the club’s stance and has responded with a standout first half of the season. The 23-year-old has produced 11 goals and 12 assists in 27 matches, becoming one of the Jupiler Pro League’s most decisive attackers.

His form has inevitably sparked fresh interest from the Premier League and beyond. Atlético Madrid are also monitoring him closely, but Brugge are firm: the winter window is closed for departures unless a truly extraordinary bid arrives. Palace, who saw their €32m offer rejected, “can attest” to how seriously the Belgians hold their valuation.

Brugge’s refusal is tied directly to their ambition this season. They believe Tzolis is central to their title bid and do not intend to weaken the squad mid-campaign. Het Nieuwsblad state that only a “massive bid” would alter this stance, though no figure is named. Earlier Belgian reporting suggested the club were confident they could receive more than 2.5 times Palace’s summer offer — meaning a potential price north of €75 million.

This approach aligns with Brugge’s track record. They rarely allow key players to leave in January and have become known for driving hard bargains, especially when Premier League clubs enquire.

For Palace, that creates a dilemma. Oliver Glasner is eager to strengthen his attack, and Tzolis fits the profile: direct, creative, two-footed, and capable of operating across multiple forward positions. But the financial threshold required to sign him in January may push negotiations beyond what the club are prepared to commit.

Tzolis has evolved significantly since his time in England, where he struggled for consistency at Norwich City. His resurgence in Belgium has been built on confidence, maturity and improved decision-making in the final third. Palace’s need for an attacker capable of carrying threat both inside and outside the box makes him particularly attractive.

His numbers underline that growth. Across league and Europe, Tzolis has become a complete chance creator as well as a finisher, offering exactly the type of dynamism Palace have lacked at times this season. Under Glasner’s fluid, vertical system, he would naturally slot into the left or right channels, providing both goal threat and creativity.

Yet Palace also recognise the market reality: Brugge have no incentive to sell now unless they receive an offer that not only replaces his output but strengthens their squad in the long term.

Having followed Palace’s recruitment approach under Glasner, their strategy is a balance of opportunism and long-term planning. Tzolis fits that profile, but the January window adds layers of difficulty. Although some may argue Palace should test Brugge’s resolve with an improved offer, it’s worth questioning whether a bid approaching €75m aligns with the club’s financial planning.

In our view, Tzolis remains a viable summer target rather than a likely January signing. Brugge’s demands are simply too high mid-season, and Palace may need to explore alternative forwards with similar characteristics. However, the player’s admiration for a Premier League move — and his openness to joining Palace — could become meaningful once the summer window opens.

Crystal Palace return to action in the Conference League tomorrow before travelling to Leeds United on Saturday. While Glasner remains eager to add attacking depth, Tzolis appears a target whose availability may have to wait until the summer.

👉 Palace fans — should the club push harder for Tzolis now, or wait until Brugge are ready to negotiate?