Over the summer, there was a real focus for Leeds United to sign some new attackers.
The Whites were the top goalscorers in the Championship last season, finding the back of the net 95 times, but Daniel Farke's side still put a focus on strengthening in forward areas during the transfer window.
lukas-nmecha-leeds-everton
Leeds signed two out-and-out number nines, both of whom joined on a free transfer. The first was Lukas Nmecha, who joined from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, and scored on his debut.
The second was former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who moved to Elland Road after his contract with the Toffees expired.
They were not the only attackers to join, though, with Farke’s side also signing Noah Okafor.
Why Leeds signed Okafor
The Swiss international made the move to Elland Road from Serie A giants AC Milan. The versatile attacker cost the Yorkshire side just £18m, signing a four-year deal with the club.
Noah Okafor
So far, he’s only two games into his career for Farke’s side. The new Leeds number 19 played 24 minutes in the devastating 5-0 away defeat to Arsenal, before starting the Carabao Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday three days later.
Being such a short time into his stint as a Leeds player, it is understandable that the 25-year-old hasn’t properly got going yet. He played the best football of his career so far at Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored 34 goals and assisted 23 in 110 appearances. For Milan, he found the back of the net seven times.
One thing that really stands out about Okafor’s game is his versatility. Whilst he is predominantly a left winger, the 25-year-old can also play on the opposite flank and as a centre-forward.
With that being said, Leeds had a similar profile of an attacker who is now worth even more money than Okafor.
The ex-Leeds star worth more than Okafor
In recent seasons, Leeds have sold some big-name players who could have been an important part of the squad today. Homegrown midfield duo Kalvin Phillips and Archie Gray are two players that spring to mind.
Another former Elland Road star who fits into that category is Jack Clarke. Now plying his trade at Ipswich Town, the 24-year-old, who was born in York, was once a Leeds player. The Whites sold him to Tottenham Hotspur for just £8m back in 2019, a decision which seems to have backfired.
jack-clarke-tottenham-spurs
The former Leeds academy player was immediately sent back on loan from Spurs after signing, and has a record of two goals and two assists in 28 games for the club.
Things didn’t work out in North London, with Clarke making just four appearances before joining Sunderland.
It was at Sunderland where Clarke made a real impact, with pundit and Black Cats fan Dougie Critchley describing him as "sensational". He bagged 28 goals and assisted 23 in 114 games.
His best campaigns were 2022/23, where he contributed to 21 goals and assists and 2023/24, where he managed 19 goal involvements.
Jack Clarke
Indeed, the underlying numbers the versatile winger put up that season show what Leeds are missing out on.
For example, Clarke averaged 1.8 key passes in 2022/23 and 2.4 key passes the following season, per 90 minutes.
Clarke at Sunderland
Stat (per 90)
Goals and assists
Key passes
Big chances created
Dribbles completed
Tackles & interceptions
Stats from Sofascore
The now-Ipswich winger’s value has shot up from when Leeds sold him. According to Transfermarkt, he’s worth £13m, an additional £5m more than what he was when he departed Elland Road six years ago. That is also more than Okafor is worth, as per Transfermarkt, with his current value down at just £11.2m.
In hindsight, perhaps Leeds regret selling Clarke. They would have had a ready-made winger on their books, who is not only worth more than Okafor, but also meant they could have saved money on his signing.
Jack-Clarke
Given the fact that Clarke can play on either wing, too, this could be seen as one that got away from the Yorkshire outfit.