Sources: Christian Kofane eyes Premier League move after Newcastle swoop
Newcastle United are plotting a move to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Christian Kofane, sources have told Football Insider.
The 20-year-old is said to be interested in making the move to the Premier League in the near future, placing a number of clubs on high alert over his potential availability.
Bayer Leverkusen ruled out his departure during the summer window, but that has done little to deter the long-term interest, with the Magpies still keen to land a striker.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Newcastle are unlikely to move for Kofane in January but could step up their chase next summer.
Despite his age, the Cameroon international has already made 50 appearances for Leverkusen and has impressed both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
There is a growing feeling that a move to English football could soon be on the cards, with Newcastle keeping a close eye on Kofane's situation in case he is allowed to move on.
Could Newcastle make a move for Christian Kofane?
Football Insider revealed back in August that Newcastle were lining up a late move to sign Kofane before the deadline, but Bayer Leverkusen were reluctant to see him move on.
Since then, the striker has scored three goals in six appearances this season, and his long-term admirers have been impressed by what they have seen.
While a January move would be unlikely as things stand, Newcastle's interest is set to linger until at least next summer, when they could reignite their bid to sign Kofane.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "There's potentially an opportunity for Kofane to make the move to the Premier League, that's something he would be open to.
"As you said, there was interest in the summer and Newcastle did have a look at Kofane, but Bayer Leverkusen didn't really want to lose him in that window.
"But I think there's potential options maybe for next summer for that interest to be reignited in Christian Kofane, even if a January deal isn't really on the cards.
"So that could be something that Newcastle or one of his other admirers are tempted to look at if they are still in need of a striker.
"He's a top player, a Cameroon international, he's got Champions League experience as well. A big, tall striker but also very mobile, he can play out wide or down the middle so I think that's why he ticks a lot of boxes for Premier League clubs as well."
Which other clubs are interested in signing Kofane?
Despite their lingering interest, Newcastle are far from the only club to show an interest in Kofane, with rivals in the Premier League and across Europe tracking the striker.
The likes of Everton and Tottenham have been linked in recent days, leading to growing suggestions that his ultimate destination could well be in English football.
Football Insider previously revealed that both Chelsea and Aston Villa have been keen to sign Kofane and were considering late moves during the summer transfer window.
The Blues are always keeping tabs on Europe's best young players, and remain keen to add him to their squad, with Xabi Alonso looking to work with his former club.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, could make a fresh move in the upcoming windows as they remain keen to bolster their attacking options despite landing the signing of Nicolas Jackson.