He could already see it in his mind: finally taking that step to the Premier League. But in England, one choice is enough to change everything – and that is exactly what Crystal Palace is now doing with Tzolis.
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Englishmen stunned: why Club then said “no” to millions
Let’s rewind to the summer: Club received a strong offer (more than thirty million euros were mentioned) and held firm. No coincidence either: Club had just broken his contract until 2029, with which it wanted to demonstrate that the Greek was not on the market. Tzolis is and was the player around whom everything revolves. That is why the refusal was not just stubbornness, but pure timing. With him, Club could remain ambitious.
But it was also an investment: Tzolis came to Jan Breydel on a clause of around six million euros — a bargain in today’s market. Crystal Palace have not forgotten him today. According to reports around Palace, his name continues to float around Selhurst Park. Only: this time he is no longer transfer target number one. Their list has changed because their problems have changed.
Palace in shock: Eze gone, Kamada out, Sarr to the AFCON
The departure of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal cost Palace a great deal of flair and creativity in the summer. Arsenal also paid a substantial amount for this, which immediately explains why Palace was looking so hard for a replacement. But January 2026 is not a repeat of August 2025. Today, Palace is looking at an attack that temporarily falls apart due to circumstances: Daichi Kamada dropped out with an injury and Ismaïla Sarr is with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In the summer, Tzolis had to be the answer to Eze’s departure. Today, Palace are looking for a player who can make an immediate impact in the Premier League, with Kamada and Sarr unavailable. That’s a different kind of purchase. That’s why Tottenham Hotspur’s Brennan Johnson is now emerging as plan A.
Palace shocks: Brennan Johnson suddenly appears as plan A
Sky Sports wrote this week that Palace wants to bring in an attacker and Johnson is plan A. He has played more than a hundred games in the Premier League, he knows the competition and the pace, and his profile fits perfectly with the type of winger that is sought after in England. Moreover, Spurs are open to negotiations, while Club Brugge would rather not sell this winter.
And the price also plays a role. It is paradoxical, because Johnson can be expensive, his market value is €35 million, but a club would rather pay extra for security than just a little less for a risk that only pays off later. If Palace mainly wants an immediate return today – because Sarr is gone and Kamada is out – then Johnson is more interesting than Tzolis.
Bruges already feels it: one phone call and the Tzolis twist takes place
That is an annoying misunderstanding for Club Brugge. Because in the winter mercato, a plan A can fail in one day. One call from Spurs that could slam the door shut. One injury. Or one extra club that comes to the table. And then the direction turns back to Bruges.
