Aston Villa have made an approach to Bayer Leverkusen for striker Christian Kofane, The Athletic reported on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Cameroon international is among the options being considered as Villa step up contingency plans to replace Ollie Watkins, who has made clear his wish to join Al Hilal.
What does Aston Villa’s interest in Kofane mean for their summer plans?
Villa’s interest in Kofane predates his move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, showing long-term monitoring of the player. Despite the approach, Leverkusen do not wish to sell and have no intention of doing so after the club-to-club contact. Villa rejected a fourth offer worth £45 million for Watkins last week and remain unwilling to sell their captain, increasing the need for viable alternatives.
How has Kofane performed at Bayer Leverkusen?
Last season, Kofane made 44 appearances across all competitions for the Bundesliga side, scoring seven goals and registering nine assists. His performances earned him a first call-up to the Cameroon national team in December 2025, followed by featuring in their Africa Cup of Nations campaign shortly after.
Who else is on Villa’s radar as Watkins’ potential replacement?
Other options being explored include AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Nicolas Jackson, the latter being a leading target of head coach Unai Emery. Villa are preparing for life without Watkins amid ongoing interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, who have had multiple bids turned down.
What is Aston Villa’s current position ahead of the Arsenal fixture?
As of 26 August 2026, Villa sit 20th in the Premier League with 0 points from one game, having lost their opening match and conceded four goals without scoring. They are three points behind leaders Brighton and face Arsenal at home on 31 August in their next fixture, a game they can prepare for by checking our fixtures page.
What happens next in Villa’s pursuit of attacking options?
With Watkins committed to staying and Leverkusen firm on retaining Kofane, Villa may need to pivot toward other targets like Jackson or Leao. The club’s recruitment team will continue assessing options as they aim to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes, knowing they must improve on a difficult start to the season that has left them needing points and goals urgently.
