£87m superstar wants to sign for Arsenal this summer

Last summer, Arsenal had to make a big decision. They needed goals, so they simply needed to sign a new striker.

The Gunners ended up signing Victor Gokeres, while the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesco left for Liverpool and Manchester United.

He has struggled for much of the season, primarily in build-up play and leading the attack. However, few doubt his scoring ability.

He is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 21 goals and has scored nine goals in his last 14 Premier League games. He has come along well and is constantly growing towards his role. Sure, he may not be as good as Thierry Henry’s famous number 14, but who can live up to that?

Gökeres has been looking over his shoulder for much of the season, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to stop heading into next season.

Big-money striker wants to move to Arsenal

The Swede has struggled for consistency this season, but he can thank his lucky stars with Kai Havertz missing much of the season due to injury.

In fact, the German showed off his prowess against Burnley on Monday, rising like a salmon to slot home Bukayo Saka’s corner. This was the only goal of the match and the Gunners won 1-0.

As a result, all eyes will be on who will start the remaining two games, including the Champions League final. After Monday night, the German will probably lead the race to the front.

But who will lead the offensive line next season? Well, Havertz and Gokeres watch out, one of the continent’s best young forwards could be headed to the Emirates Stadium.

Reports in April claimed that Arsenal had begun contract talks with Bayern Leverkusen prodigy Christian Cofane, and the player has since reportedly made his feelings clear about where he wants to be next season.

Indeed, according to Talking Arsenal, which reported the original article last month, Arsenal are Kofane’s “priority” ahead of the summer season, indicating that he is keen to join Mikel Arteta’s team.

However, it could come at a significant price to lure him away from Leverkusen. The player’s agent previously revealed that the 100 million euro (approximately 8.7 billion yen) player is on the waiting list.

Why Kofane is such a good signing for Arsenal

Indeed, it is quite unusual in recent years that Arteta has turned to overseas markets to bring new players to the Emirates.

Last summer, they brought in Gokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga from the Premier League.

In recent years, the likes of David Raya, Declan Rice and Havertz can also be added to that category. Of this trio, the German is certainly the one with the most question marks.

When he joined from Chelsea in a £65m deal in 2023, he was tipped to replace Granit Xhaka at the club. He’s about as far from that as you can imagine. Havertz was no longer the main player in midfield, but instead became an effective centre-forward.

As Arsenal’s striker, he has scored 23 goals in 58 games. It’s not bad at all. The latest of those was a decisive header from a corner against Burnley on Monday.

However, Havertz has undoubtedly struggled to fulfill his potential despite the hype he received in his home country. Like Kofane, he began his career as a teenager with Leverkusen before moving to Chelsea. In his final two seasons in Germany, he scored 48 goals in 87 games. It’s no exaggeration to say he was one of the best young players in the game.

Kofane has yet to achieve similar numbers, but scout Jacek Kulig has described him as “one of the most exciting strikers in Europe”.

why? Now, the 19-year-old not only has seven goals and six assists this season, but he also possesses scary traits that could cause trouble for Gabriel and William Saliba when the two teams meet in this season’s Champions League.

The 6ft 2in teenager has a long stride that makes him a threat to defenders, but he also has a great physical presence.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes described Kofane as “a very powerful and quick striker”, while the Bundesliga’s official website described Kofane as “a player with speed, vision and refined decision-making ability”, adding that Kofane’s “smooth skills and all-round profile are similar to Hugo Ekitike”.

Ekitike had his season cut short due to an Achilles injury, but upon his arrival he quickly adapted to the speed of Premier League football, scoring 17 goals at home in his debut season with Liverpool.

If Kofane’s introduction is anything like that, he could be a do-it-all signing. Although he is very different from Havertz in terms of style, his path and rise to greatness are certainly similar, having moved from Germany to England at a young age.