Arsenal are poised to compete with Newcastle United to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, according to BILD (page 13).
The Gunners currently have Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as their centre-forward options. Jesus has entered the last year of his contract and could be sold this summer.
BILD now claim that Newcastle have informed Leverkusen of their interest in Kofane, but they are not alone. The German giants are aware that the 19-year-old is also high on Arsenal’s shortlist.
After an internal meeting, Leverkusen have decided to sell the Cameroon international for around £85 million – a figure which aligns with his agent Eric Depolo’s comments earlier this year.
Kofane speculation could be agent-driven
The Gunners have two elite strikers in Gyokeres and Havertz. The club were linked with a move for Atletico’s Julian Alvarez but have since moved on due to his preference for Barcelona.
The focus could now turn to pursuing a young marksman with immense potential. Kofane has been mentioned as a target after making 16 goal contributions during his debut season at Leverkusen.
The 19-year-old was hugely impressive during the round of 16 Champions League ties against Arsenal. He got the better of William Saliba physically on multiple occasions, which is pretty much a rare feat.
Kofane was denied a goal in the second leg by a world-class David Raya save. Arsenal will no doubt have been impressed, but they are unlikely to make a huge outlay of £85m for his services.
Arsenal have a good working relationship with Leverkusen, having signed defender Piero Hincapie on loan last summer with a conditional obligation to buy which was recently triggered.
Still, we don’t see the prospect of spending such a humongous fee based on a solitary season. The club are more likely to focus on strengthening the left wing over landing a new striker.
Leandro Trossard looks on his way out, with Arsenal having agreed a deal with Besiktas. Gabriel Martinelli could likewise head through the exit door, having entered the last year of his contract.
If both were to depart, Arsenal could pursue a marquee left winger with a possible deputy.
Stats from Transfermarkt