Bayer Leverkusen block Barcelona target’s summer exit: ‘We’re counting on him for next season’

Christian Kofane will not leave Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

“Arsenal’s interest is real. The coach really likes him, but there are other clubs.

“I think it’s still too early to talk about his future, but since the player speaks Spanish, like Mikel Arteta, and since William Saliba is from Cameroon, I’d say Arsenal is in the best position right now.

“In addition to Arsenal, other clubs like Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona have also contacted me,” he explained.

Summer exit ruled out

However, just as speculation began to build, Leverkusen have stepped in to cool things down.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes made the club’s position clear in a recent interview, shutting the door on any immediate exit. Addressing the rumours, he stated,

“We’re counting on him for next season. We don’t sign players just to sell them immediately. He gave us his word and never wavered. He’s extraordinary,” he said, as per SPORT.

That statement leaves very little room for interpretation, as the German club is determined not to repeat past scenarios where young talents explode onto the scene only to be sold too early.

With Kofane, the plan is different. With his market value already having surged to €40 million, that figure will only rise and so will the competition.