\n<\/p>\n
The agent of Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has confirmed that he has had transfer talks with Arsenal and that Mikel Arteta \u201clikes\u201d his client \u201cvery much\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Gunners lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before the international break but they are still having a great season in the Premier League and other competitions.<\/p>\n
Arsenal<\/strong> are currently nine points clear of Pep Guardiola\u2019s second-placed side in the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.<\/p>\n After spending over \u00a3250m on new players last summer, Arsenal are now preparing for more signings in the upcoming window as they look to continue to build on this season\u2019s success.<\/p>\n Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who joined from Sporting CP in a deal worth \u00a363.5m, has scored 16 goals in all competitions, but some critics think he should be scoring more goals and offer more to Arteta\u2019s side.<\/p>\n And now Arsenal are looking to sign a new striker in the summer and recent reports indicate that Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Kofane has emerged as a top target.<\/p>\n READ: Arsenal win international break: Gyokeres, MLS, \u2018absolute livewire\u2019 and Arteta\u2019s \u201cinjured\u201d stars<\/strong><\/p>\n The 19-year-old has contributed seven goals and five assists in all competitions, although a majority of his 38 appearances have come from the bench.<\/p>\n Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed earlier this week that Arsenal are in the race to sign the Cameroon international, who scored twice at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this season.<\/p>\n Plettenberg wrote on X<\/em>: \u2018Arsenal are monitoring Christian #Kofane. The 19 y\/o talented striker impressed in the Champions League quarter-finals. Several other top English clubs are also interested, and Real Madrid have been keeping an eye on him as well.<\/p>\n \u2018Bayer 04 Leverkusen are demanding \u20ac60-70 million for a summer transfer. Top transfer by Rolfes\/Falkenberg. Both are in good contact with agent Eric Depolo.\u2019<\/p>\n And now Kofane\u2019s agent, Eric Depolo, has confirmed interest from Arsenal in his client and insisted that Arteta \u201clikes him very much\u201d.<\/p>\n Depolo told Daily Arsenal<\/em> in response to the rumours: \u201cYes, Arsenal\u2019s interest is genuine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe manager (Mikel Arteta) likes him very much.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365\u2026<\/strong> Speaking about other interested clubs, Depolo added: \u201cChelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked if any club is leading the race, he replied: \u201cI think it is too early to say, but 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On talks with Arsenal, he said: \u201cYes, there is contact between me and Arsenal. But their focus right now is to win the league \u2014 from there everything will start moving.\u201d<\/p>\n Confirming Kofane\u2019s asking price, Depolo continued: \u201cHe is a \u20ac100 million player. With Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n If Arsenal bought Kofane from Leverkusen for anything like \u20ac100m (\u00a387m) he would become the most expensive teenager in Premier League history with Leny Yoro currently holding that honour after Manchester United spent \u20ac70m (\u00a361m) on him.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n
* Arsenal want \u00a3109m trio of talented youngsters as Berta looks to future-proof squad<\/strong>
* England: Tuchel told to snub Arsenal star to \u2018win World Cup\u2019 as Palmer included in starting XI<\/strong>
* Arsenal interest in striker signing that\u2019ll break Premier League record confirmed<\/strong><\/p>\n