Leeds had strengthened their squad particularly well in the defensive portions of the pitch during the early stages of this transfer window. However, many concerns were around their attacking impetus heading into the new Premier League season. To start a top-flight campaign with the same forward line simply wouldn’t be enough, for some critics. Now, Leeds United are interested in Noah Okafor after agreeing a deal with Dominic Calvert-Lewin yesterday (August 14).
Leeds United Switch Focus to New Forward After Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Interest in Noah Okafor
Beren Cross and James Horncastle, of The Athletic, have revealed that Leeds hold an interest in Okafor. He plays for Serie A giants AC Milan, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Napoli. Back in his Red Bull Salzburg days, the forward had been branded as the “new Sadio Mane”.
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At current, it is only an interest, with “no official approach” from Leeds. No club-to-club talks have taken place yet, but they are looking at the 25-year-old “in the final weeks of this window”. The Whites have already signed Lukas Nmecha on a free, and are set to confirm the incoming of Calvert-Lewin after his contract at Everton expired. Okafor would top off a trio of attacking reinforcements that was very much needed.
Goals From the Wing Important for Leeds
Calvert-Lewin has proven his ability to score goals before, and he has the potential to do the same this season. However, he cannot be relied upon to do this for Leeds: he was only able to start 19 games in the league last year, and managed just three goals in this time. Whilst the 28-year-old will be an important presence up top regardless, Daniel Farke may have to spread his side’s goals across the team.
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Okafor is the perfect player to do this. Whilst he has struggled in Milan, he netted double figures from the wing in back-to-back seasons for Salzburg. His tendency to cut inside and run with the ball supports this. In fact, the Swiss international is also capable of playing striker, which not only helps his case as a goalscoring winger, but could also come in useful should Calvert-Lewin suffer an injury.
