Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Everton all missed out on Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane in the summer window.
That’s according to Bild, who cover why the Premier League trio failed to secure the 20-year-old’s services.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton snubbed
On July 4th, Sport Witness covered a report from Germany explaining that the Magpies made a move for the striker.
Two days later, we relayed news of Everton tabling an offer to sign Christian Kofane. The Toffees were planning to beat Newcastle United and other clubs.
In the end, David Moyes’ side, Newcastle United, Aston Villa or another club weren’t able to take him away from Bayer Leverkusen.
Bild now reports the Cameroon international had rejected offers from Newcastle United, Unai Emery’s side and the Merseyside club. The three clubs were all willing to offer around €50m.
Future signing more expensive
The Bundesliga side want to reward the frontman for his impressive performances and decision to turn down other clubs.
He joined Bayer Leverkusen from Albacete Balompié in July 2025. Their plan was to send him on loan, only to change that, after he impressed during pre-season.
The decision paid off as Christian Kofane finished his debut season with seven goals and nine assists from 44 matches. He has a contract until 2029, and Transfermarkt value him at €40m.
Bayer Leverkusen are working on offering him a new contract until 2031 and have been in talks with his agents, Eric Depolo and Erkan Alkan, for several weeks.
The two parties are closing in on an agreement, and he’s on the verge of signing an extension. The renewal will see him increase his salary to €4m, likely net, per year.
Bild make no mention of his salary and add the new contract won’t include a release clause.
The Bundesliga side are seeing him as their next €100m player. In short, Fofana will become more expensive for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton or any other club.
