​David Moyes is reportedly keen on bringing a 19-year-old Cameroonian striker who is already making the Bundesliga look easy. David Schill of the Daily Arsenal broke the news on July 9, 2026, asserting that Everton currently hold the lead to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s teenage forward Christian Kofane this summer. According to Kofane’s agent, Eric Depolo, Moyes “loves” the youngster. The discussions, initially revealed by Schill, were heavy on the club’s long-term blueprint for the future, with Depolo describing the plan as “fantastic.”
And then there was the tangible proof. Depolo was seen at Finch Farm on a Wednesday, a strong sign that talks have moved beyond the courtesy phone calls and into concrete negotiations. Africa Foot reports that an opening bid has already been put on the table. Incredibly, Everton have somehow leapfrogged Arsenal, Newcastle United, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Kofane, a lineup that feels almost ridiculous in its competitive intensity.
Leverkusen fetched €5 million to prise Kofane away from Spanish second-division side Albacete just last July. Now, the German club are holding out for a staggering €100 million. Everton’s initial offer does not come close to that sky-high figure, with the Toffees testing the waters around the €40 million mark. Christian Kofane stands at 6ft 2in and wears the number 35 shirt in Germany. His numbers from the 2025-26 season are intriguing: across all competitions, he tallied 7 goals and 9 assists in 44 appearances. On closer inspection, 16 of those appearances came as a substitute, suggesting he is effectively contributing a goal or assist every 90 minutes. In the Bundesliga alone, he managed 5 goals and 4 assists in 29 matches, firing off 47 shots and winning 30 aerial duels. His pace is alarming, with a top speed recorded at 34.85 km/h.
FotMob currently appraises his market value at around €29.4 million, a figure that reflects a push from his representative to inflate the price. Kofane’s path began at the AS Nylon academy in Cameroon before moving to Spain, with Leverkusen having tracked him for years. He has already featured in the Champions League and broken into the Cameroon national team setup. A shot of Leverkusen’s BayArena shows Kofane warming up ahead of a Champions League knockout clash against Olympiakos in February 2026, a moment that underscored his rising profile.
If the price is right, the logic is clear. Everton’s attack last season was painful to watch. Thierno Barry managed only eight Premier League goals, and Beto appeared out of his depth at times. Kofane brings raw athleticism, formidable aerial power, and a high-pressing work rate that fit Moyes’s vision of a modern number nine. His Champions League cameo against PSV and a sharp assist at the Etihad against Manchester City demonstrated that he can perform at the highest level against elite opposition. The question remains whether Everton—or any interested party—will be willing to meet Leverkusen’s lofty valuation. With Moyes’s clear intent to transform the forward line and his history of optimizing young talent, Kofane could become a pivotal piece in Everton’s rebuild, provided the numbers align and a deal can be reached that satisfies all sides.