Arsenal on the trail of 'new Eto'o' valued at €100m

Arsenal are already plotting for the future, and their latest target could be one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe.

The Gunners have reportedly intensified their interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, a player already being tipped as the “new Eto’o.”

Interest in Kofane is far from speculation, with his agent Eric Depolo confirming that talks are already underway. “Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. The manager (Mikel Arteta) likes him very much,” he revealed.

The connection between player and club could also play a role in any potential deal. “I 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,” Depolo added.

More significantly, he confirmed direct communication has already taken place. “Yes, there is contact between me and Arsenal. But their focus right now is to win the league - from there everything will start moving.”

While Kofane’s numbers this season, seven goals and five assists in 39 appearances, may not immediately justify the hype, his potential is what has clubs circling. Arsenal, in particular, view him as a long-term solution in attack.

Depolo made that clear with a bold statement: “He is a €100 million player. With Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years.”

With Bayer Leverkusen unlikely to let him go cheaply, a summer bidding war could be on the horizon. For Arsenal, though, it is about securing the next generational forward before the rest of Europe fully catches on to the Cameroonian’s talent.