Aston Villa have made another inquiry for Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane, underlining how serious the club are becoming about strengthening up front as Ollie Watkins' future remains in doubt.
The move is the latest sign that Villa are still exploring options late in the process, with Christian Kofane emerging as a younger alternative after previous interest in Nicolas Jackson, Jean Phillipe Mateta and Rafael Leao. Bayer Leverkusen, though, have no plan to sell the 20-year old, and any deal would not be straightforward.
Villa keep looking for a forward
Villa's search for another striker has been driven by uncertainty over Watkins. That has left the club considering a range of profiles, from more established names to a player like Kofane, who is still very early in his top-level career.
Kofane joined Bayer Leverkusen from Albacete last summer on a four-year contract running until 2029, and Villa were already interested in him last season. The latest inquiry suggests that interest has not gone away.
The attraction is obvious. He produced eight goals and nine assists in 45 games in his season debut at the top flight, which is a strong return for a player still developing. But Leverkusen are not under pressure to sell, and that makes this a difficult chase.
Could the price become a major obstacle?
The report indicates Kofane could cost up to £70 million, which would place him firmly in the category of a major investment rather than a simple squad addition. For Villa, that would be a significant call, especially with the club still trying to settle the future of Watkins and decide how ambitious to be in the market.
That is what makes this story important. Villa are not just looking for cover. They are trying to work out whether to commit to a forward who offers upside, or to keep pushing for a more established solution before the window closes.
For now, the clear answer is that Villa have not moved on. Another inquiry for Christian Kofane tells you they still see him as a serious option, even if Bayer Leverkusen's stance means the final decision may be out of their hands.
