Perhaps it’s not going to be a disastrous summer for Newcastle United, after all. The Magpies have sprung into life, advancing deals to sign the likes of Bouzamana Toure and midfielder Johan Manzambi.
A move for the latter is particularly impressive when considering Arsenal’s interest, but it may not be the only time that Newcastle get one over on the Gunners this summer.
Reports are now claiming that the Tyneside club have also set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
The Bundesliga is where it’s at for Newcastle. They spent big on Nick Woltemade last summer and are already closing in on Toure and Manzambi. So it’s not a major surprise that Kofane has also caught their eye, as they look to solve their attacking problems. |
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Finances |
Just like Woltemade last summer, the deal will not come cheap. Leverkusen are reportedly demanding as much as €100m (£86m) to sell Kofane this summer, leaving the Magpies with plenty to think about after other business in the coming months. |
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Insight |
In Kofane, Newcastle would be investing in a future star rather than someone who’d be expected to steal the headlines right away. The 19-year-old was still involved in 9 goals in 29 Bundesliga games last season though, and that in itself shows just how much potential he has. |
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Impact |
If a young Bundesliga forward arrives, it will be interesting to see Woltemade’s next move. He didn’t have the easiest first season at St James’ Park and ended it playing in midfield. Rumours have since emerged about his future, which will not go away if Kofane arrives. |
Arsenal’s interest complicates things, but Premier League competition is to be expected if Newcastle are to target a talent of Kofane’s calibre.
Newcastle set to launch move for Christian Kofane
According to Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are set to launch their move for Kofane this summer. The Magpies are interested in the teenage star and could get one over on Arsenal in the process.
The Gunners have already made contact and earlier reports indicated that they were in pole position. Since then, however, Kofane has remained a Leverkusen star and the door has been left ajar for Newcastle to make their move.
“Arsenal’s interest is serious. With Kofane, Arsenal would have a top striker for the next 10 years. He’s a €100m player.” – Eric Depolo (Kofane’s representative)
It would be quite the hijack from those on Tyneside, especially when considering that they’re already pushing to sign Manzambi ahead of the North London club.
Kofane’s arrival would be bad news for Woltemade
It wasn’t so long ago that Woltemade was the new kid on the block ensuring that everyone quickly forgot the name Alexander Isak. The towering forward got off to a flying start, but that has since proved to be a false dawn. To sum up his struggles, he now plays in central midfield under Eddie Howe.
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25/26 |
Woltemade |
Kofane |
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Minutes |
1,912 |
1,235 |
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Goals |
8 |
5 |
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Assists |
3 |
4 |
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XG |
6.65 |
6.92 |
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Touches in opposition box P90 |
5.98 |
4.05 |
Earning his striker role back won’t be easy, especially if Kofane arrives. The teenage star has the all round game that Woltemade arguably lacks to lead the line and, at £86m, could guarantee himself a starting place. After all, he has already been billed as “one of Europe’s most exciting strikers” by scout Jacek Kulig.