Leeds United have been dealt a possible setback of their bid to deliver Noah Okafor to Elland Street within the January switch window.
What’s the discuss?
That’s in response to Florian Plettenberg, with the Sky Sports activities Germany journalist revealing in a current submit on Twitter that Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and AC Milan have now joined Leeds within the race for the Crimson Bull Salzburg centre-forward this winter – who is alleged to be out there for a determine within the area of €40m (£35m).
In his tweet, Plettenberg mentioned: “Information Okafor: Switch in winter is feasible! No negotiations now however there’s is curiosity from golf equipment like MCFC, LFC & AC Milan. Been informed that Manchester United shouldn’t be in. World Cup [is] crucial now. Price ticket could possibly be round €35-40m. High season with Salzburg thus far.”
In an extra tweet, the Sky reporter went on to relay the feedback of Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund, who claimed that, ought to the 22-year-old go on to get pleasure from a positive World Cup marketing campaign with Switzerland this winter, demand for the striker may skyrocket by the point January rolls round.
On this submit, the journalist mentioned: “Information Okafor: Sporting director Freund confirmed our unique information. A couple of switch in winter he mentioned to Sky Austria: ‘Okafor actually took off final 12 months. I hope he performs World Cup, then the inventory Okafor can turn out to be very attention-grabbing. I don’t rule it out!’”
One to look at
Whereas Okafor’s returns in Austria have been extremely spectacular thus far this season, ought to the Swiss sensation go on to show himself on the worldwide stage on the Qatar World Cup this winter, the argument that Orta merely should launch a bid for the centre-forward in January is an extremely simple one to make.
Certainly, early indications of the 22-year-old’s potential are extraordinarily promising, with the £22m-rated expertise having already bagged seven targets, registered one help and created two massive possibilities over his 14 Austrian Bundesliga appearances this season.
The striker has additionally taken a mean of 1.9 photographs – 0.9 of which have hit the goal, made 1.3 key passes and accomplished 1.1 dribbles per sport, along with scoring 4 of his targets together with his left foot and three together with his proper.
These returns have seen the participant who Soccer Expertise Scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “extremely prolific” common an extremely spectacular SofaScore match score of 7.03, at present rating him as Salzburg’s joint Twelfth-best performer within the league.
The £13k-per-week ahead has additionally caught the attention over his six appearances within the Champions League this time period, scoring three targets – towards AC Milan, Chelsea and GNK Dinamo Zagreb – in addition to taking a mean of 1.8 photographs – one among which has hit the goal – making one key cross and finishing 1.2 dribbles per sport.
As such, whereas the numbers posted by the eight-cap starlet this season are spectacular, ought to Okafor go on to shine towards the likes of Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia in Group G of the World Cup this winter, it could seemingly persuade Orta – in addition to numerous different golf equipment – that the centre-forward is effectively and actually prepared for Premier League soccer.
So, the 22-year-old may be very a lot one to look at in Qatar for all concerned with the Whites, as, ought to the striker show himself on the largest stage of worldwide soccer, it could seem extraordinarily advisable for Orta to launch a bid for the Salzburg sensation within the January switch window.
