Agent confirms “serious” interest as Newcastle race with Arsenal for Christian Kofane
Maybe it won’t be a bad summer for Newcastle United, after all. The Magpies have improved in life, advancing deals to sign the likes of Bouzamana Toure and midfielder Johan Manzambi.
The move is particularly impressive considering Arsenal’s interest, but it may not be the only time Newcastle get one from the Gunners this summer.
Now reports say that the Tyneside club are also looking forward to Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
The Bundesliga is where it’s at in Newcastle. They spent big on Nick Woltemade last summer and have already locked up Toure and Manzambi. So it’s no big surprise that Kofane has also caught their eye, as they look to solve their attacking woes. |
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Finance |
Like Woltemade last summer, the deal won’t come cheap. Leverkusen are reportedly seeking around €100m (£86m) to sell Kofane this summer, leaving the Magpies with plenty to think about after another deal in the coming months. |
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Understanding |
In Kofane, Newcastle will invest in a star of the future rather than someone who is expected to steal the headlines immediately. The 19-year-old was involved in 9 goals in 29 Bundesliga games last season, and that alone shows just how much potential he has. |
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Impact |
If the young Bundesliga player arrives, it will be interesting to see Woltemade’s next move. He did not have an easy first season at St James’ Park and finished it playing in midfield. There are rumors about his future, they will not end when Kofane arrives. |
Arsenal’s interest complicates matters, but a Premier League run is to be expected if Newcastle are to target a talent of Kofane’s caliber.
Newcastle will launch a move for Christian Kofane
According to Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle will launch a trip to Kofane this summer. The Magpies are interested in the young star and could land one from Arsenal in the process.
The Gunners have already made contact and previous reports have suggested they are in a good position. Since then, however, Kofane has been a star player for Leverkusen and the door has been left open for Newcastle to leave.
“Arsenal’s interest is important. With Kofane, Arsenal will have an outstanding striker for the next 10 years. He is a 100 million euro player.” – Eric Depolo (representing Kofane)
It would be a hijack for those on Tyneside, especially considering that they already want to sign Manzambi before this North London club.
Kofane’s arrival would be bad news for Woltemade
It wasn’t long ago that Woltemade was the new kid on the block making sure everyone forgot the name Alexander Isak. The tower began to fly, but that turned out to be a false dawn. To sum up his problems, he now plays in midfield under Eddie Howe.
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25/26 |
Woltemade |
Be the same |
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Minutes |
1,912 |
1,235 |
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Goals |
8 |
5 |
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It helps |
3 |
4 |
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XG |
6.65 |
6.92 |
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Touching in the opposition box P90 |
5.98 |
4.05 |
Regaining his place as a striker will not be easy, especially if Kofane arrives. The young star has an all-round game that Woltemade arguably lacks to lead the line and, for £86m, can guarantee himself a starting spot. After all, he has been billed by scout Jacek Kulig as “one of the most exciting strikers in Europe”.
