Kofane Delays Leverkusen Deal As Premier League Interest Grows

Christian Kofane was supposed to have signed his new Bayer Leverkusen contract by now.

A month ago, an extension until 2031 was reportedly close to completion. Instead, negotiations have stalled while Arsenal, Manchester United and several other Premier League clubs circle around one of Leverkusen's most valuable young players.

According to Sport Bild, Kofane has put the talks on hold after seeking additional opinions on the terms negotiated between Bayer and his representatives.

Crucially, there is no indication that the 20-year-old has decided he wants to leave Leverkusen.

This is about the deal.

Kofane Wants Better Terms

The disagreement is reportedly not over Kofane's salary or the inclusion of a release clause.

It is the signing bonus.

Kofane is said to have informally shown the proposed agreement to other representatives, who advised him that there was room to negotiate better terms. He nevertheless intends to continue working with his current agency, Afrosport.

That has left Leverkusen with a decision.

The two sides had essentially agreed the extension and Bild reported in September that the proposed contract would run until 2031, significantly improving Kofane's terms without including a release clause.

Now Bayer must decide whether to improve an agreement they thought was already settled.

Premier League Clubs Are Watching

The timing gives Kofane considerable leverage.

Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Everton all approached the striker during the summer, only to be rejected. Arsenal have reportedly been in contact with his representatives since the spring, while Manchester United have now also made contact.

There is still an important distinction between interest and an active attempt to sign him. None of that means Kofane is negotiating a departure.

But it explains why his contract situation has become more complicated.

His current deal runs until 2029, meaning Leverkusen are under no immediate pressure to sell. Bayer's desire to extend it again is instead about recognising how dramatically Kofane's position has changed since his arrival from Albacete in 2025.

Leverkusen Saw This Coming

Kofane arrived in Germany after scoring eight times in only 20 senior appearances for Albacete.

Simon Rolfes described him then as a powerful and quick striker with the potential to become an important part of Leverkusen's future.

That future has arrived quickly.

Kofane has scored three times in six appearances across competitions this season, and the list of clubs following him now includes some of the Premier League's biggest names.

Leverkusen's attempt to extend his contract therefore makes sense even with three years remaining on the existing agreement.

A new deal until 2031 without a release clause would give Bayer considerably more control over what happens next.

For now, the extension has been delayed rather than abandoned.

Kofane still wants to stay. Leverkusen still want to secure him for the long term.

The question is simply what it will now cost to get the signature they thought they already had.

From here the stage only gets bigger.