How much Everton were ready to pay for Christian Kofane as new contract tabled
Everton were ready to go big in their attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane in the summer window.
The Toffees were credited with an interest in the 20-year-old throughout the window, which closed last Tuesday.
Everton endured a disappointing window overall, made all the worse by a dreadful final day that is now well documented.
Kofane was considered by Everton in their pursuit of a new striker, with an approach said to have been made in August.
No bid is believed to have been tabled for the Cameroon international.
Further details are now emerging out of Germany on why a move for Kofane came to nothing.
What's now been said on Everton move for Christian Kofane?
The window may have shut a week ago, but the fallout will continue for a while longer yet.
The calamitous failed move for Folarin Balogun will of course grab the headlines.
But there are also question marks as to why Everton did not bring in any of the other forwards they were linked with.
Kofane was one of those and certainly looks an exciting prospect.
According to Bild's print edition on Tuesday, Everton made an approach to Leverkusen, as did fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
The German outlet adds that each of those sides were willing to pay around £43million to sign a player said to be on a "meteoric rise".
However, the player himself was less open to a move away from the Bundesliga side, having only joined a year ago.
Bayer Leverkusen have plan in place for Kofane
Arsenal are another team said to have made enquiries as to Kofane's availability and price tag, so he is certainly a player in demand.
Bild add that Leverkusen value the youngster at closer to £86m, while they now plan to offer him a new contract.
That will only drive his valuation up further as he will be locked down at BayArena for even longer.
Talks are progressing, so it is safe to assume he is now fully out of Everton's reach in future windows.