Arsenal are looking to bolster their centre-forward department in the upcoming summer transfer window, and have subsequently identified a Bayer Leverkusen striker as a possible option.
The Gunners may be embroiled in an intense Premier League title race, but sporting director Andrea Berta isn’t prepared to rest on his laurels. The Italian has identified Anthony Gordon and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as potential upgrades on the left wing, as he looks to ensure Arsenal sustain their success beyond just this season.
While strengthening the left-hand side of their attack may be Mikel Arteta’s primary concern, the North Londoners are also assessing the striker market. Viktor Gyokeres has flattered to deceive in his debut campaign in N5, Gabriel Jesus is expected to leave at the end of the season, and Kai Havertz continues to struggle with injury issues – thus, Arsenal may need a new number nine.
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Arsenal learn asking price for Christian Kofane
Julian Alvarez has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, although the Argentine may ultimately prove to be too expensive. The Gunners are therefore lining up potential alternatives to the Atletico Madrid man, with the early indications being that the North London club’s major investments could come out wide and in midfield.
Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane is among the list of cheaper options. Arsenal witnessed the Cameroonian’s talent first hand when they beat the German side in the Champions League earlier this month, and were left impressed by how he unsettled William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the first leg.
🇨🇲 Christian Kofane: "I'm really excited about the game, Arsenal are a great team. We have trained well and want to give everything we can." pic.twitter.com/8HpmLcLtd6
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 10, 2026
Kofane has scored seven goals and provided eight assists across all competitions since joining Leverkusen from Spanish second-division side Albacete for €5.25 million (£4.6 million) last summer. This form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with several Premier League clubs said to be monitoring his development alongside Arsenal.
While he may be on the Gunners’ list of less expensive options, the most recent report regarding his potential exit from the BayArena may change this. According to Sky Sports Germany (via TransferMarkt), Leverkusen have set Kofane’s asking price at somewhere in the region of €60 million to €70 million (£52 million to £61 million).
This excessive price tag could prompt the Gunners to turn their attention away from the 19-year-old.
Is Christian Kofane worth £61 million?
Arsenal have some tough decisions to make up front. While Jesus is almost certainly out the door, one of Havertz or Gyokeres could still follow suit.
Havertz’s injury issues are a concern, and make selling him a viable option, although at his best, the German is still a better player than his Swedish counterpart. If the Gunners can land a younger striker who is available on the market, it could be worth making that investment.
| Statistical Comparison 2025/26 (League Only) | ||
| Stat | Gyokeres | Kofane |
| Appearances | 29 | 24 |
| Goals | 11 | 5 |
| Assists | 0 | 3 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.04 | 3.25 |
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals per 90 | 0.37 | 0.49 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 0.76 | 1.27 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 0.28 | 0.54 |
That said, if Kofane is the primary candidate, then they should be cautious at this reported price. The youngster has shown glimpses of quality and certainly has the potential to develop into something special.
However, he remains raw, and it’s a risk to invest such a significant sum in a player whose range of career outcomes is still huge. The safe option would be to stick with Gyokeres and Havertz for now, invest heavily in a left forward, and then move for a more exciting young striker in the future.
