Leverkusen boss responds to Kofane speculation amid links to Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and other top clubs

For some time now, 19-year-old Christian Kofane has been linked with a move away from Bayer Leverkusen following a breakout campaign in the Bundesliga.

Speaking to Daily Arsenal last month, the striker’s agent, Eric Depolo, did little to ease the speculation, claiming there is genuine interest from Arsenal and also naming several other suitors, including FC Barcelona, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

However, as Bayer Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes tells Kicker (via Fussballtransfers), the Bundesliga side have no plans to sell the forward.

“We are planning with him for next season. We don’t sign players just to sell them immediately again,” Rolfes stressed.

Reflecting on Kofane’s €5 million move from Spanish side Albacete last summer, Rolfes said:

“He gave us his word and never wavered. That is extraordinary. But he was always clear. Based on the feedback we received, we were always confident the transfer would go through, even though there were countless attempts – but never from his side.”