€100m Arsenal signing on as contract bombshell blows future wide open

7 Oct 2026 21:02 BST 2 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

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Christian Kofane has stunned Bayer Leverkusen during discussions over a new contract, and this has blown the door to a possible transfer to Arsenal or Manchester United wide open.

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The Cameroon international emerged as one of the most promising centre-forwards in the Bundesliga last season. Kofane was initially expected to be loaned out after joining from Spanish second-tier side Albacete, but he impressed so much in pre-season that he was kept around.

He repaid that faith by scoring seven goals in his first-ever season of elite-level football, all while playing for an inconsistent team and having to fight for a place in the side with the significantly more experienced Patrik Schick.

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After starring for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations and impressing in the Champions League, Kofane was the name on everyone's lips and started to be linked with a Premier League move.

In April, Kofane's agent publicly confirmed that he was in talks with Arsenal over the striker, whom he described as a "€100 million" player. Mikel Arteta, the representative claimed, is a huge fan of the 20-year-old.

Kofane halts contract talks

Leverkusen are inclined to agree with Kofane's agent. They reportedly want to make the youngster their next €100m sale, which explains why no transfer materialised in the summer. Spending that much on a fairly inexperienced player would have been a major gamble.

Having started the new season with three goals, Leverkusen wanted to reward Kofane with a new contract last month. Everything appeared to be on track, with the player believed to be on the verge of putting pen to paper.

However, BILD now reports that complications have arisen. It is claimed that Kofane put a stop to the negotiations because he was not entirely happy with the terms on offer.

Interestingly, he was content with the deal not containing a release clause, and he also didn't have a problem with the proposed salary. His main gripe was with the signing-on fee he was due to pocket.

After discovering the terms his representatives had negotiated, Kofane held informal talks with other agents and was told that he could easily demand a significantly bigger fee. That's exactly what he is doing now.

Crucially, Kofane is not planning to drop his agent over this, nor has this incident changed his stance on a renewal. He is still keen to sign a new contract with Leverkusen, although it remains to be seen if they will agree to his demands.

An extension would not preclude a possible transfer in 2027. On the contrary, interest in the 20-year-old is increasing, with the German tabloid claiming that, in addtion to Arsenal, Kofane has also received enquiries from Man Utd.

In August, the striker rebuffed late-window transfer offers from Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle. Clearly, he has his sights set on one of European football's biggest hitters. Whether that will be Arsenal, Man Utd or another club remains to be seen.