Everton have made a bid to poach “one of the world’s most exciting strikers” from Newcastle and Arsenal
Now a top player has emerged as Arsenal, Newcastle United and Everton are vying to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Christian Kofane.
The three Premier League sides have different reasons for wanting to sign a new striker – the Gunners may need to bring in a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, who has also been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Indeed, David Moyes’ side are on the hunt for a new striker, as Thierno Barry has struggled to get results in his first Premier League campaign, scoring just eight goals, despite featuring in every game.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, signed both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer, but they have scored just nine goals between them and both are linked with relegation.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
All three teams have good reasons to want to sign a new striker. Arsenal could do with more strength in depth, as they look to compete on all fronts again next season, while Everton and Newcastle arguably made a mistake in their recruitment in the striker department last summer. |
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Finance |
The deal could be expensive, with Bayer Leverkusen potentially holding a fee of up to £86m. That said, the Gunners could spend money after a successful 2025-26 campaign, while Newcastle could cash in by selling the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. |
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Understanding |
Scout Jacek Kulig described the Leverkusen star as “one of the most exciting strikers in the world”, and he chipped in with five goals and five assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances last season. |
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Impact |
Kofane may find it difficult to break into Arsenal’s starting line-up, considering he will be competing for the starting spot with Viktor Gyokeres and the Champions League’s last goalscorer, Kai Havertz, while breaking into Moyes or Eddie Howe may be easier, given that they both lacked a consistent striker last season. |
The runner-up named in Christian Kofane’s race
According to a report by Africa Foot, Everton are leading the race for Kofane’s signature, as they have recently made a formal request.
They confirmed that Arsenal, Newcastle and Barcelona are all chasing the striker, and last month it was reported that the striker wanted to join Arsenal, but the Toffees are now trying to hijack that deal.
Christian Kofane could be in danger of signing for Everton
Everton undoubtedly need to sign a new striker this summer, given that none of Moyes’ players managed to reach double figures in Premier League goals last season.
However, bringing in the Cameroonian would be a gamble, given that he is only 19 years old and has no experience.
In all spells with Bundesliga side Leverkusen and Albacete in La Liga 2, the youngster has netted 15 goals in 64 appearances, not exactly a return that suggests he is ready for a big move.
There are a number of other options on the Toffees’ shortlist, including Chelsea’s Liam Delap, who scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 campaign.
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