Kofane's Agent Confirms Arsenal Contact as Gunners Eye Summer Striker Overhaul

The agent representing Bayer Leverkusen's Christian Kofane has confirmed that Arsenal have opened genuine dialogue regarding the Cameroon international, with Mikel Arteta reportedly viewing the teenager with considerable enthusiasm.

Eric Depolo, Kofane's representative, has stated that contact between himself and the Gunners is active, though he emphasises that Arsenal's current priority remains securing the Premier League title before transfer momentum builds.

Arsenal's season has been one of substance despite the Carabao Cup setback to Manchester City before the international break. The north Londoners maintain a nine-point advantage at the summit of the league standings and have progressed to the quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League. With over £250m invested in fresh talent last summer, the club is evidently planning further reinforcements during the upcoming window.

Viktor Gyokeres, the £63.5m acquisition from Sporting CP, has notched 16 goals across all competitions this term, though some observers feel the Swedish striker could be delivering greater consistency and impact for Arteta's system.

Kofane, just 19 years old, has accumulated seven goals and five assists in all competitions for Leverkusen, though the majority of his 38 appearances have come from the substitutes' bench. The youngster impressed during the Champions League knockout stages and struck twice during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this campaign.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported this week that Arsenal are tracking the prospect, with several other elite English clubs monitoring the situation alongside Real Madrid. Leverkusen's valuation sits between €60-70 million, according to Plettenberg's reporting.

However, Depolo has positioned his client considerably higher. "He is a €100 million player," the agent declared, adding that "with Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years."

A host of suitors have registered interest, with Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all keeping watch. Yet Depolo suggests the Gunners hold a structural advantage. "Due to the fact that the player speaks Spanish, like Mikel Arteta, and that William Saliba is originally from Cameroon, I would say Arsenal are in pole position," he explained.

Should Arsenal complete a deal at Depolo's asking price of €100m (approximately £87m), Kofane would eclipse Leny Yoro's record as the Premier League's most expensive teenager. Manchester United paid €70m (£61m) for the defender.

Depolo confirmed to Daily Arsenal: "Yes, Arsenal's interest is genuine. The manager likes him very much."