Barcelona keeping tabs on €40 million-rated teenage Bundesliga striker
· Yahoo Sports
As has been well-established by now, FC Barcelona are in the market for a new centre-forward heading into the summer transfer window.
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It is expected that one of Ferran Torres or Robert Lewandowski will be on the move come the end of the season, and the Catalans are on the lookout for a new No. 9.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid is the preferred target for Joan Laporta & co., but a move for him appears difficult. As such, more viable alternatives are being looked at by the Catalan giants.
Christian Kofane on Barcelona’s radar
In that regard, SPORT reports that Barcelona are keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen and Cameroon teenage striker Christian Kofane.
Kofane had already attracted attention during his time in Spain with Albacete. His youth and direct style of play in the Segunda División made him a target for several clubs.
Real Madrid were reportedly in discussions to sign the 19-year-old, but hesitated, allowing Bayer Leverkusen to complete a deal worth €5 million last summer.
Kofane has adapted well in the Bundesliga, recording seven goals and eight assists from 39 matches for Die Werkself, going from a substitute to a starter.
Christian Kofane is a man in demand. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
His growing stature also earned him a spot in the Cameroonian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring twice in the knockout stages. So much so that he is being hyped as the heir to Barcelona icon Samuel Eto’o in his homeland.
Premier League clubs also keen
Kofane’s rise has not gone unnoticed. His name is now circulating among Europe’s leading clubs, including Barcelona and some teams from the Premier League.
His agent, Eric Depolo, has confirmed contact with several major teams, naming Arsenal as one of his suitors.
“Arsenal’s interest is genuine. The manager rates him highly, but there are other clubs,” Depolo said.
“I think it’s still too early to talk about his future, but given that the player speaks Spanish, like Mikel Arteta, and that William Saliba is from Cameroon, I’d say Arsenal are in the best position at the moment,” he added.
At the same time, Depolo revealed that Newcastle United, Everton, Brentford, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have all made contact, while stating that his client is worth €100 million.
It remains to be seen whether Barcelona’s interest in Kofane leads to anything substantial.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.