Cameroon international Christian Kofane is close to agreeing a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen despite reported interest from Arsenal and several other major European clubs.
The 20-year-old striker is expected to extend his stay with the German club until 2031, with Leverkusen keen to secure the future of one of their most promising young players.
Arsenal have been closely monitoring Kofane’s progress and reportedly see him as a potential future addition to their squad.
However, no move materialised during the summer transfer window, allowing Leverkusen to push ahead with plans to tie the Cameroon forward to a longer-term deal.
Kofane’s current contract with Leverkusen runs until 2029, but the German club are now close to reaching an agreement that would extend his commitment by a further two years, according to Kicker.
Leverkusen’s decision comes as interest in the young striker continues to grow following his progress since joining the club.
The Cameroon international arrived from Albacete in the summer of 2025 and quickly began showing his potential in the Bundesliga.
During his first season in Germany, Kofane scored five goals and supplied four assists in 29 league appearances.
He started 12 of those matches, while his performances helped establish him as an increasingly important attacking option for the club.
His form has continued into the current campaign.
Kofane has scored twice in three appearances across all competitions this season, despite starting each of those matches from the substitutes’ bench.
That early return has further increased attention around the Cameroon striker, with Arsenal among the clubs monitoring his development.
The Premier League side are understood to have been impressed by Kofane and view him as a player who could become a strong candidate for a move to England in the future.
Arsenal are not the only major European club to have been linked with the forward.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Chelsea have also been mentioned in connection with the player, highlighting the level of interest generated by his performances.
Despite that attention, Kofane remained at Bayer Leverkusen after the summer transfer window.
His agent had previously indicated in the spring that Arsenal were particularly well placed to sign the striker, but a transfer did not materialise.
Leverkusen now appear determined to make sure they retain control of Kofane’s future as his reputation continues to grow.
The proposed extension would take his contract through to the summer of 2031.
The German club’s approach reflects its desire to continue developing the Cameroon international rather than risk losing a highly rated young asset on terms that may not reflect his potential.
Reports indicate that Leverkusen believe Kofane could eventually command a transfer fee of more than €100m if he were to leave the club in the future.
For now, however, the striker remains focused on his development at Leverkusen.
His two goals in three appearances this season have provided an encouraging start, even though he has yet to begin a match.
