Everton join list of Premier League clubs interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane | OneFootball

Everton have become the latest Premier League club to express interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane following the Cameroonian’s rapid first-season rise in the Bundesliga. Transfer reporter Matteo Moretto claims that the Merseyside club have made an enquiry about the 20-year-old.

The contact has not yet led to concrete negotiations, but Everton now join Arsenal and Newcastle United among the English clubs linked with the Leverkusen forward. Kofane remains under contract with die Werkself through 2029 and currently maintains an estimated market value of €40m. 

Leverkusen quick to identify Kofane’s potential

Kofane’s ascent has been particularly striking given that he did not make his professional debut until January 2025. The striker developed at Cameroon’s AS Nylon academy before moving to Spain and joining Albacete. He scored on his senior debut against Racing Santander and proceeded to register eight goals in 20 Segunda División appearances.

Leverkusen quickly identified the teenager as a development prospect capable of competing at first-team level. Kofane completed his medical in June 2025, with the Bundesliga club initially expected to activate a release clause worth approximately €5m. The transfer was temporarily delayed by a disagreement concerning the payment structure.

Leverkusen eventually completed the signing in July, paying slightly more than the clause in order to resolve the dispute with Albacete. Kofane’s transfer represented a record sale for the Spanish second-tier side. His estimated market value had already increased substantially during his brief senior spell in Spain.

Kofane seized first-team opportunity

A loan move was initially considered, but Kofane’s work during preseason convinced Leverkusen to retain him. Sporting director Simon Rolfes highlighted the striker’s pace, technical quality, assertiveness and ability to operate with physical intensity. Kofane then benefited from major changes in Leverkusen’s attacking hierarchy. Victor Boniface left on loan, while Patrik Schick’s early-season injury temporarily left the Cameroonian as the only natural centre-forward available.

The youngster featured in each of Leverkusen’s opening seven competitive fixtures. He registered one goal and one assist in the DFB-Pokal and later supplied an assist against Werder Bremen. Kofane’s breakthrough accelerated when Schick suffered a fascia injury. Leverkusen identified the teenager as the likely replacement for the subsequent Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven and Bundesliga fixture against Union Berlin.

Kofane scored against PSV before opening his Bundesliga account against Union. Those performances established him as more than emergency depth and provided the foundation for a significant role throughout the campaign. He ultimately recorded five goals and five assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances.

All together, Kofane scored sevens goals and added nine assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.

Cameroon controversy preceded AFCON breakthrough

Kofane’s rise also generated considerable discussion in Cameroon. He declined international call-ups in September and October in order to focus on establishing himself at Leverkusen. Agent Eric Depolo subsequently defended the decision, arguing that Kofane required rest and careful management after progressing from academy football to the Bundesliga within a matter of months.

The forward eventually joined Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations and made an immediate impact. Kofane scored the winner against Mozambique after being handed his first start and struck again during the knockout victory over South Africa.

His performances involved more than finishing. Kofane repeatedly dropped away from the defensive line, linked play and created opportunities for teammates while operating as Cameroon’s central striker.

Premier League interest in Christian Kofane intensifies

Arsenal’s interest was reported in March, by which point Kofane’s market value had risen from approximately €5m to €40m. Leverkusen were reportedly seeking between €60m and €70m for a player they had acquired for approximately €5.25m less than one year earlier. Newcastle have since also been mentioned as an interested party.

Everton’s enquiry provides the latest evidence of Kofane’s growing reputation, though there is currently no indication that a formal offer is imminent.

Any interested club must nevertheless contend with Leverkusen’s contractual leverage and a valuation transformed by one of the most dramatic Bundesliga breakthroughs of the past season.

GGFN | Peter Weis