Arsenal latest: Agent reveals interest in £87m star as Mikel Arteta handed transfer boost

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Arsenal latest: Agent reveals interest in £87m star as Mikel Arteta handed transfer boost

Mikel Arteta is reportedly preparing to strengthen his Arsenal team ahead of the summer transfer window

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Arsenal will undoubtedly be determined to maintain their pursuit of three trophies following the resumption of English football. Arteta's side were last seen in action at Wembley before the international break, where they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Although the first chance to end their six-year wait for silverware slipped through their fingers, Arsenal still have three further opportunities, beginning with their FA Cup quarter-final away at Southampton on Saturday.

The remarkable depth within Arsenal's squad looks unlikely to curtail their summer ambitions, with reports suggesting the north London club are eyeing a pair of young talents from the Bundesliga. We examine the most prominent stories emerging from the Emirates Stadium.

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Transfer boost

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RB Leipzig are reportedly willing to reduce their asking price for Castello Lukeba. Despite the 22-year-old possessing a release clause of £70million (€80m), the Bundesliga club are open to negotiating a fee below that substantial figure in order to push through a transfer.

According to Sky Sports Germany, an offer of £57m (€65m) would be sufficient to secure the Frenchman's departure, with the defender reportedly keen on a fresh challenge after three years in Germany.

The reduced valuation could trigger a scramble for Lukeba's signature amongst Europe's top clubs, with Arteta said to be a keen admirer of the centre-back. L'Equipe has reported that the Premier League leaders have already entered into discussions over a potential move to north London.

Kofane agent speaks out

Christian Kofane's representative has suggested Arsenal's pursuit of the teenage prodigy is "genuine". The 19-year-old forward only joined Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has netted seven goals while providing eight assists in his maiden campaign.

The Gunners have been touted with a swoop for the Cameroonian, with his agent, Eric Depolo, revealing his client has caught the eye of the Premier League heavyweights. Speaking in an interview with Daily Arsenal, he claimed: "Yes, Arsenal's interest is genuine. The manager [Arteta] likes him very much.

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"There is contact between me and Arsenal. But their focus right now is to win the league – from there everything will start moving." Depolo stressed, however, that any prospective suitors will need to meet a substantial asking price.

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."

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