Arsenal information: Mikel Arteta handed switch enhance as agent confirms curiosity in £87m star
Arsenal have received a major transfer boost with RB Leipzig reportedly ready to lower Castello Lukeba’s price tag, while Christian Kofane’s agent confirms genuine interest in the £87m-rated striker
Mikel Arteta has his eyes on some silverware(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal will undoubtedly be determined to maintain their pursuit of three trophies ahead of English football’s resumption. The Gunners were last seen in action at Wembley, where they succumbed 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
While their first chance to end a six-year trophy drought wasn’t seized, Mikel Arteta’s team have three further opportunities beginning with their FA Cup quarter-final encounter on Saturday away to Southampton.
The depth of Arsenal’s squad likely won’t derail their summer ambitions to strengthen, with reports suggesting the north London outfit are targeting a Bundesliga raid for two youngsters. Daily Star Sport examines the major stories emerging from the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta boost
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RB Leipzig are reportedly prepared to slash Castello Lukeba’s asking price.
Despite the 22 year old possessing a release clause in his deal valued at £70million (€80m), the Bundesliga outfit are willing to negotiate a transfer beneath the eye-watering sum to facilitate a departure, reports the Mirror.
According to Sky Sports Germany, an offer of £57m (€65m) would secure the Frenchman’s exit, with the player reportedly seeking a fresh challenge following three seasons in Germany.
The reduced valuation could ignite competition for Lukeba’s services amongst Europe’s elite clubs, with Arteta understood to admire the centre-back.
L’Equipe has claimed that the Premier League pacesetters have opened discussions regarding a potential switch to north London.
Interest in £87m star
The representative of Christian Kofane has declared Arsenal’s pursuit of the teenage prodigy is “genuine”.
The 19 year old frontman only joined Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has notched seven goals while contributing eight assists during his maiden campaign.
The Gunners have been tipped for a swoop for the Cameroonian as his agent, Eric Depolo, revealed his client has caught the eye of the Premier League heavyweights.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Arsenal, he said: “Yes, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. The manager [Arteta] likes him very much.
“There is contact between me and Arsenal. But their focus right now is to win the league – from there everything will start moving.” Nevertheless, Depolo emphasised that any side keen to secure Kofane’s services will need to stump up an enormous sum.
He added: “He is a €100million (£87m) player. With Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years. Right now, he is the best U21 striker in Europe and the most complete one.
“He has speed, technique, defends very well and is strong in the air. It is very difficult to find all these attributes in one striker.”
