Newcastle United need to add to their options up top this summer. Nick Woltemade scored just 11 goals across all competitions last season. Yoann Wissa’s output was even worse as he found the back of the net merely three times, and only once in the Premier League.
If Newcastle United want to improve next season, signing another striker should be viewed as a necessity this summer. So far, that has not happened but there are still a few weeks left in the transfer window.
Most fans would like to see them go out and bring in a proven goalscorer at the highest level. Someone who can come in and almost guarantee consistent goals.
But it looks like Newcastle United have their eyes set on a 20-year-old striker who scored just seven goals last season. Yet, it could take around €100 million to sign him.
Newcastle United have expressed interest in Kofane
The player in question is Christian Kofane of Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal are thought to be the frontrunners, if the striker did end up leaving the German club this summer.
Several other clubs are believed to be interested. Kofane’s agent Eric Depolo has named Newcastle United on that list, when asked which other clubs had expressed an interest in the striker (via Metro):
‘Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Brentford, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.’
Now, there is a very real chance that Kofane might stay on at Bayer Leverkusen at least one more season. He still needs to prove that he can score goals on a consistent basis.
Last season’s displays might have caught the eye of top clubs. But when you are talking about a potential €100 million transfer fee, you need to show more than just potential.
Kofane is not what Newcastle need right now
As things stand, it does not feel like someone like Kofane is who Newcastle United need. They need someone with more experience and proven results at the top level.
They need the kind of striker who has a track record of scoring goals at the highest level. Obviously, nobody can guarantee anything in football. But at least that would reduce the chances of it failing.
On the other hand, signing someone like Kofane would come with its fair share of risk. Just look at how things have turned out for Woltemade.
It would be safe to say that he was showing more potential than Kofane has so far, when in the Bundesliga. But his time in the Premier League has not been nearly as fruitful.
