Arsenal make surprise move for rising French star valued at €70 million

December 3, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

A long term puzzle for Arsenal

Arsenal are mapping out their attacking strategy well ahead of the 2026 season, and part of that planning now involves monitoring Jean-Matteo Bahoya, a 20 year old French forward who has been gaining attention in the German Bundesliga. The London club have been widening their scouting net in search of emerging talent who could grow into long term contributors rather than short term fixes.

For readers outside the sports world, such early reconnaissance is common among major football clubs. Scouting departments track young players several years before a potential transfer in order to understand their development patterns, injury history and suitability for a club’s style of play.

Who is Bahoya

Bahoya is a France under 21 international currently playing for Eintracht Frankfurt. While he is not yet a household name, he has built a strong reputation among European scouts for his ability to operate across different attacking roles. His combination of close control, decision making and composure has made him one of the Bundesliga’s most closely followed young attackers.

France’s youth system has produced several elite forwards in recent years, including Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani, which contributes to the growing interest in prospects emerging from that pipeline. Bahoya is considered part of this next wave, though still early in his professional journey.

Frankfurt’s perspective

According to reporting from Sky Sports DE, Frankfurt are aware that Arsenal have been scouting the player, but sources indicate that there have been no formal conversations between the clubs. Frankfurt have developed a reputation for identifying forwards early, improving them and eventually selling them for significant sums. Recent sales like Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike illustrate that pattern.

Sky Sports DE reports that the club would consider a sale only if bids reach approximately 70 million euros, a number reflecting both the global market for young attacking talent and Frankfurt’s reluctance to lose a player they believe could become substantially more valuable in the near future.

Why young forwards cost so much

Transfer fees for attackers in their early twenties have risen sharply over the past decade. Clubs now invest in potential and longevity, hoping to secure players who can deliver value over multiple seasons. For Premier League teams like Arsenal, this often means entering the market early, before competition intensifies and prices rise further.

Because football operates as a global talent market, clubs in Germany, France and England all compete for the same emerging stars. Even rumours of interest can influence a player’s valuation as more teams begin to pay attention.

How the situation may evolve

For now Arsenal’s interest appears exploratory rather than urgent. Recruitment staff are expected to continue gathering information on Bahoya while evaluating other options for their long term attacking plans. Frankfurt, meanwhile, must decide whether to entertain early inquiries or wait until the player’s stock rises even further.

Much will depend on Bahoya’s performances over the next year and how the transfer landscape shifts as clubs prepare their squads for the 2026 season.

Sources: Sky Sports DE.

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