Kofane joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 and made a rapid impact, recording 44 appearances during his first season. His development prompted the Bundesliga club to seek an extension to his current agreement, which runs until 2029.
The Cameroon striker appeared close to signing a new deal last month. The proposed agreement would have extended his contract until 2031 and reportedly increased his annual salary to €4 million.
However, Sport Bild now reports that Kofane has independently stopped the negotiations. His intention is not to leave Leverkusen, but he no longer wants to sign on the terms that had already been negotiated.
The disagreement is reportedly not centred on the inclusion of a release clause. Instead, the main issue concerns the signing bonus Kofane would receive when putting pen to paper on the new agreement.
It remains unclear how much Leverkusen would be willing to offer as a signing fee, leaving the club with a decision over whether to improve the package to keep the forward committed.
Kofane has strengthened his negotiating position with his performances on the pitch. The centre-forward has scored twice in his first four Bundesliga appearances this season, continuing the progress that convinced Leverkusen to pursue a new contract.
Interest from England could also increase the pressure on the German club. Kofane has reportedly been in contact with Arsenal for several months, while Manchester United and Newcastle United have also made enquiries.
Leverkusen therefore face the possibility of renewed competition for one of their most promising young forwards if the contract dispute is not resolved.
Kofane’s current deal still gives Bayer some protection, but his decision to reopen negotiations demonstrates that the original package no longer satisfies the player.
The next step will depend on whether Leverkusen are prepared to improve the financial terms, particularly the signing bonus. With Premier League clubs monitoring the situation, the German side may need to move quickly if they want to prevent the striker’s future becoming a wider transfer issue.