Leeds United are looking at ways to boost their attack following their return to the Premier League. With strikers such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha already joining the club, Leeds have submitted a bid for another top-flight forward.
Following the end of Manor Solomon’s loan spell and confirmation that Patrick Bamford was no longer a part of the club’s Premier League plans, Leeds were left short on attacking options ahead of their return to a league known for its physical intensity.
On Friday, it was established by Daniel Farke that Calvert-Lewin had joined the Whites in time to potentially play against his former side, Everton, on Monday. However, despite signing a top-level striker, Leeds are submitting a large bid for another European giant’s forward.
Leeds United closing in on AC Milan forward
Leeds United’s centre-forward options already include Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin; Willy Gnonto and Dan James also have experience playing up front for the Whites. Despite a wealth of attacking options, the consensus is that none of them are reliable enough or prepared to make the step up to the Premier League.
Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Leeds have submitted a bid to AC Milan for forward Noah Okafor. The fee is allegedly worth over €20m; however, the reported bid fluctuates, with some estimations being as low as £13m (around €15m).
🚨🟡🔵 Leeds United are close to signing Noah Okafor from AC Milan!
Understand proposal worth over €20m has been submitted today, contract until June 2029 plus option until 2030.
Final green light up to Okafor then deal can be done, with #LUFC coach Daniel Farke pushing a lot. pic.twitter.com/IQX2DJTGFe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025
Okafor was once an extremely highly rated youngster; during his time at RB Salzburg, he achieved double-figure goals in back-to-back seasons and completed 20 goal contributions for the club in the 2021/22 season. His reputation as an elite ball carrier with a very good record when taking on defenders is just one reason why AC Milan completed a €15m move for him in 2023.
It is possible that the agency representing Noah Okafor, ‘YOU FIRST’, assisted in advancing this deal with the club, having recently negotiated with Leeds concerning their other client, Junior Firpo.
Noah Okafor’s worrying injury record
Despite Noah Okafor once being considered one of the most promising youngsters in Europe, he has been plagued by time on the sidelines. Since moving to AC Milan, Okafor has missed 32 matches due to injuries and illness, spending most of his time waiting to appear as a substitute for the club.
While it will be worrying for Leeds that Okafor has not seen much gametime in recent seasons, it should certainly be noted that a big reason for this is that his preferred positions are identical to Rafael Leao. Leao has been AC Milan’s star player for several seasons now and is undroppable for the club, making over ten goals and ten assists in four consecutive seasons.
Being Rafael Leao’s understudy is likely just one of several reasons why Noah Okafor is as keen for a move as AC Milan is to see him leave.
At Leeds, Okafor would be competing for a spot in a starting forward line primarily made up of players who faced Championship opponents last season. His experience in top-flight football, including appearances in the Champions League, would bring valuable insight to a team that significantly lacks such experience.