Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title remains strong, but work is being done behind the scenes to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad for the 2026-27 season.
Christian Kofane takes ‘pole position’ for Arsenal (Image: Mika Volkmann/Getty Images)
Arsenal target Cristian Cofane’s agent has confirmed he has held talks with the Gunners over a big-money move, saying Mikel Arteta is “very fond of him”. Kofane, 19, was signed from Spanish side Albacete for just £4.4 million last summer and impressed in his first season with German club Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite not being a regular starter, the Cameroonian scored seven goals and provided five assists. Arsenal fans may remember that he played 90 minutes with both feet in last month’s Champions League round of 16 tie against Leverkusen.
Kofane failed to score against the Gunners in the second leg, thanks in part to a brilliant save from David Raya, but Arsenal are reported to have taken notice of his talent.
His agent Eric Depolo claims the Gunners are in “pole position”, although Europe’s biggest teams are also interested. “Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine,” Depolo told Daily Arsenal. “The manager really likes him.”
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When asked which other clubs would like to sign Kofane, the agent said: “Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.”
But Depolo believes Arsenal could have two aces thanks to Arteta’s heritage and Cameroonian-born William Saliba. “I think it’s too early to say[which club is leading the race],” he explained.
“But the fact that this player speaks Spanish, like Mikel Arteta, and William Saliba is also from Cameroon, means Arsenal are in pole position. There are contacts between me and Arsenal, but their focus now is winning the league and everything will start moving from there.”
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Christian Cofane’s agent sees links between his client and William Saliba (Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
“He is a €100m (about £87.3m) player. With the signing of Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years. I have never in my life received so many calls about Kofane.”
“At the moment he is the best under-21 striker in Europe and the most complete striker. He has speed, technique, defends very well and is strong in the air. It is very difficult to find all these qualities in one striker.”
Arsenal invested heavily in their forward line over the summer, but big changes could be coming. The futures of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are all subject to speculation.
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