Arsenal join Real Madrid in transfer race for £52m striker who impressed against Gabriel and Saliba

Arsenal have placed Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane on their shortlist of potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Germany.

Kofane is enjoying an outstanding debut season in 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 familiar face to some Arsenal supporters having caught the eye in defeat as the Gunners saw off Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

The teenager caused problems for Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba across both legs and it was only a stunning save from David Raya that prevented him from getting on the scoresheet at the Emirates.

Earlier in 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 youngster earning rave reviews and going from strength to strength with every passing game.

According to Sky Germany, Kofane’s round-of-16 performances last month left a big impression and Arsenal are now expressing a strong interest in the 6 ft 2 in centre-forward.

It’s claimed several other unnamed Premier League sides, as well as Real Madrid, have also been alerted to Kofane’s undoubted talent and potential.

Leverkusen have not ruled out the possibility of selling Kofane but 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 replacement. 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 about the situation and are in regular communication with Kofane’s agent Eric Depolo.

‘For me, it’s impressive enough that Kofi came to Europe at the end of 2024 and moved here in the summer of 2025 – and how he has developed since then,’ Leverkusen head coach Hjulmand recently said of Kofane.

‘The way he works, how he adapts and learns… I criticised him a bit in training a few weeks ago and then the next day he came to me and said, “Please, keep it up. I want more criticism, I want to learn,” and that’s why he’s making these strides.

‘I always tell players, “Stay true to yourself in this crazy world, sometimes you might lose touch with reality”, but if you stay true to yourself, everything will be alright.’

On Kofane, Hjulmand added: ‘He has a great future.

‘I know Christian will stay on this path, with this personality – and then he will certainly develop even further.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.