Arsenal have placed Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane on their shortlist of potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window, in accordance with reports in Germany.
Kofane is having fun with an impressive debut season within the Bundesliga having joined Leverkusen from Spanish second tier side Albacete last summer.
Though not yet a a guaranteed starter under Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, the 19-year-old has chipped in with seven goals and eight assists in his opening 37 appearances for the club.
Kofane may already be a well-known face to some Arsenal supporters having caught the attention in defeat because the Gunners saw off Leverkusen to achieve the Champions League quarter-finals.
The teenager caused problems for Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba across each legs and it was only a surprising save from David Raya that prevented him from getting on the scoresheet on the Emirates.
Earlier within the competition, Kofane became Leverkusen’s youngest ever Champions League goalscorer with the opening goal in a 1-1 draw at home to PSV Eindhoven.
The fee of just over €5million that Leverkusen spent on Kofane now looks to be a mere snip, with the teen earning rave reviews and going from strength to strength with every passing game.
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In accordance with Sky Germany, Kofane’s round-of-16 performances last month left a giant impression and Arsenal are actually expressing a powerful interest within the 6 ft 2 in centre-forward.
It’s claimed several other unnamed Premier League sides, in addition to Real Madrid, have also been alerted to Kofane’s undoubted talent and potential.
Leverkusen haven’t ruled out the opportunity of selling Kofane however it would likely require a hefty fee of between €60-70million (£52m-61m) to strike a deal for the Cameroon international.
The report adds that if Kofane makes way, Nicolo Tresoldi could move to Leverkusen as a possible alternative. Coincidentally, Arsenal have also been linked with the Club Brugge attacker in recent days.
Kofane’s current contract, which he signed upon arrival at Leverkusen, runs through to June 2026.
Leverkusen chiefs Simon Rolfes and Kim Falkenberg are said to be relaxed concerning the situation and are in regular communication with Kofane’s agent Eric Depolo.
‘For me, it’s impressive enough that Kofi got here to Europe at the tip of 2024 and moved here in the summertime of 2025 – and the way he has developed since then,’ Leverkusen head coach Hjulmand recently said of Kofane.
‘The way in which he works, how he adapts and learns… I criticised him a bit in training a number of weeks ago after which the following day he got here to me and said, “Please, stick with it. I would like more criticism, I would like to learn,” and that’s why he’s making these strides.
‘I at all times tell players, “Stay true to yourself on this crazy world, sometimes you would possibly lose touch with reality”, but in the event you stay true to yourself, the whole lot will probably be alright.’
On Kofane, Hjulmand added: ‘He has a fantastic future.
‘I do know Christian will stay on this path, with this personality – after which he will definitely develop even further.’
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