{"id":1858,"date":"2026-04-03T03:49:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T03:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1858"},"modified":"2026-04-03T03:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T03:49:14","slug":"arsenal-transfer-interest-confirmed-but-mikel-arteta-and-andrea-berta-face-major-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1858","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal transfer interest &#8216;confirmed&#8217; but Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta face major battle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e792fe\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal have been linked with a transfer interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane this summer, with his agent speaking about a potential move.<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33707104\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Christian Kofane during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal. \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707104.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-First-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707104.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-First-Leg.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707104.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-First-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707104.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-First-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal's interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has been confirmed. \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal&#8217;s interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has been confirmed. <cite aria-label=\"Image: Stuart Franklin\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Stuart Franklin\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal\u2019s interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has been confirmed by the player\u2019s agent, who also claims that the Gunners are in \u2018pole position\u2019 to complete the transfer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal could target a move for a forward this summer, with uncertainty over the future of Kai Havertz. There have been reports that the German could move away from the Emirates Stadium when the window opens, but the forward has brushed them off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners completed the signing of Viktor Gyokeres last year, but could look to strengthen their frontline further. Kofane has emerged as a potential target.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 19-year-old has scored seven goals and registered eight assists for Leverkusen this season, after moving from Spanish second division side Albacete less than 12 months ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal have been handed a boost in a potential move. Speaking to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/daily-arsenal.com\/exclusive-arsenal-in-talks-to-sign-christian-kofane-agent-reveals-all-in-interview\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><u>Daily Arsenal<\/u><\/a>the player\u2019s agent Eric Depolo, confirmed Arsenal\u2019s interest, and named them as the team in \u2018pole position\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cYes, Arsenal\u2019s interest is genuine. The manager likes him very much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33707102\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33707102\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Christian Kofane and William Saliba battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707102.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707102.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707102.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33707102.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Christian Kofane has impressed in his first season with Bayer Leverkusen.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Christian Kofane has impressed in his first season with Bayer Leverkusen.<cite aria-label=\"Image: Vince Mignott\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Vince Mignott\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He added: \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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\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<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But Arsenal are not the only team interested. Depolo named Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the other clubs who are showing an interest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It means that the Gunners are likely to have a lot of competition should they accelerate a move.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sporting director Andrea Berta could therefore have his work cut out. Kofane cost Leverkusen around \u00a34.5 million last summer, and would want a significant profit on that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Some reports suggesting that they are looking for a fee of between \u20ac60-70 million (\u00a352m-61m).<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Up to 70% off Arsenal kits and merch<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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Arsenal&#8217;s interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has been confirmed. (Image: Stuart Franklin\/Getty Images) Arsenal\u2019s interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane has been confirmed by the player\u2019s agent, who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}