Leeds United are interested in doing a deal to sign AC Milan’s Swiss attacker Noah Okafor with reports emerging on Sunday evening that personal terms have been agreed.
Okafor is likely to have been on Leeds’ list prior to the friendly between Daniel Farke’s side and Milan in Dublin. But, the versatile attacker will have caught the eye further as he left Isaac Schmidt bamboozled.
Much was Schmidt’s own doing, but Okafor took advantage. Leeds have shown interest in signing Okafor, and reports now say that personal terms have been agreed to sign Okafor before the summer deadline.
However, there is an issue and it comes from Leeds’ end. Leeds have already signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw this summer, three players with renowned injury issues.
AC Milan forward Noah Okafor
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Leeds United have a concern regarding Noah Okafor move
Since joining Milan in the summer of 2023, Okafor has played 58 times. A total of 36 in his first season, 21 in 2024-25 and a late cameo on Sunday in a Coppa Italia game. A 2-0 AC Milan win over minnows Bari.
But Okafor has missed plenty. A total of 21 games have been missed due to injury since he joined Milan, and according to Sacha Tavolieri, that is a ‘potential issue’ having already signed injury-prone players.
“Leeds contacted Milan for Okafor. LUFC aware of fitness concerns + consider the fact that he has missed several medicals to be a potential issue. The medical staff will have the final say, need to make a decision.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
This is not the first time Leeds have tried to sign Noah Okafor
Despite his injury issues since joining Milan, it is clear why Leeds are considering £11m Okafor. Naturally a striker, but just as capable on the left, the Switzerland attacker kills two birds with one stone for Leeds.
The Mail says Leeds still want a striker as well as a left-winger but being able to bring in a forward like Okafor, who is physical yet versatile, will bolster the attack. Leeds have wanted to sign Okafor before.
Leeds United v AC Milan, pre-season friendly match, Dublin.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images
A former player of Jesse Marsch at Salzburg, Marsch wanted to lure Okafor to Leeds ahead of the 2023 January window. Leeds had done business with Salzburg for Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen.
Nothing materialised but Okafor has always been a player liked by those at Leeds and clearly, interest remains in the former Basel ace. Whether Leeds choose to push on with a move, remains to be seen.