Leeds Agree £18m Transfer for AC Milan Striker Noah Okafor as Daniel Farke Strengthens Attack After Dominic Calvert-Lewin Deal

Leeds United’s summer rebuild has taken another major step forward with the club agreeing an £18 million deal for AC Milan striker Noah Okafor. The move, first reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, comes hot on the heels of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s free transfer arrival and continues Daniel Farke’s determined push to add firepower ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

What’s striking about Leeds’ business so far is the balance of experience, pedigree, and ambition they’ve managed to bring in. Calvert-Lewin offers proven top-flight credentials, Nmecha is a hungry forward eager to restart his career in England, and now Okafor adds flair, versatility, and European pedigree. Suddenly, a team that last season looked short of attacking options is beginning to look like a completely different proposition.

Leeds Agree £18m Transfer for Noah Okafor

Okafor’s move to Elland Road has been months in the making. Bologna were in deep talks with Milan earlier in the summer, but their inability to meet the financial demands left the door wide open for Leeds. Farke and the club’s recruitment team didn’t hesitate. They moved quickly, reached an agreement with the player over personal terms, and have now shaken hands on the fee with Milan.

At just 24 years old, Okafor brings both youth and experience to the squad. He’s a player who has featured in the Champions League, scored for Switzerland at international level, and been part of title-winning teams in two different leagues. While his recent loan at Napoli didn’t offer him the chance to shine consistently — he played only four matches in the latter half of last season — the quality has never been in doubt.

Leeds are betting that a fresh start in the Premier League, under a manager who likes to play on the front foot, will unlock Okafor’s best. His ability to play across the front line — whether through the middle, out wide, or drifting between the lines — makes him an ideal fit for a squad that needs flexibility.

The Daniel Farke Blueprint Comes Together

For months, Farke has been clear about his vision. Leeds needed attacking depth, competition for places, and players who could handle the intensity of the Premier League. With Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and now Okafor, that vision is starting to look like reality.

Calvert-Lewin, signed after leaving Everton as a free agent, brings a proven record in English football. Yes, injuries have disrupted his career, but when fit he’s shown himself to be one of the most effective target men in the league. Nmecha, formerly of Manchester City and Wolfsburg, represents something different: raw hunger and a point to prove. For him, this move is about rekindling a career that once promised so much.

Okafor’s arrival ties it all together. He’s not the same type of striker as Calvert-Lewin — instead, he thrives on movement, link-up play, and exploiting space. That blend of styles gives Farke the tactical options he’s craved. Leeds can now play direct, counter-attack, or patiently build through the lines, knowing they have attackers who complement each other rather than simply duplicate qualities.

Okafor’s Journey: From Milan to Leeds

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Okafor joined Milan in 2023 with a reputation as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in Europe, having impressed in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg. His pace, technical ability, and knack for scoring on big occasions made him a natural fit for Milan’s project. But life at the San Siro was never straightforward. Competition for places was fierce, and while he showed flashes of brilliance, he never cemented a regular starting role.

The loan to Napoli earlier this year was meant to offer more playing time, and while he did contribute during their run-in to secure the Serie A crown, appearances were limited. Still, being part of a title-winning squad at such a young age adds another layer of experience.

At Leeds, he won’t just be another squad player. Farke’s side is being rebuilt around players like him, and that responsibility could bring the best out of a striker who thrives when trusted to lead the line.

What Leeds Fans Can Expect

Leeds supporters are famously demanding, and Okafor’s transfer fee will inevitably come with expectations. But his style of play should endear him quickly to the Elland Road crowd. He’s direct, always willing to run at defenders, and unafraid of taking risks in the final third.

His versatility means he could be paired with Calvert-Lewin in a two-striker system, play off the flank in a front three, or even operate as a lone forward. That unpredictability is something Leeds lacked last season. Opponents often knew exactly how to nullify them. With Okafor, there’s suddenly a wildcard option who can change games.

There will, of course, be questions. Can he adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League? Can he deliver consistently, rather than in flashes? Leeds fans will want to see him hit the ground running. Whether his debut comes against Arsenal on August 23 or the following week at home to Newcastle, all eyes will be on him.

Leeds’ Attack Looks Transformed

When the summer began, few would have predicted Leeds would move this boldly in the transfer market. The narrative back in June was one of caution, of steady rebuilding. Yet with Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and now Okafor through the door, Leeds have suddenly put together one of the most intriguing attacking line-ups outside of the established “big six.”

For Farke, the challenge now is chemistry. New signings always take time to gel, and with the Premier League season fast approaching, he’ll need to find the right blend quickly. But if the pieces come together, Leeds may no longer be viewed as a side fighting to survive. Instead, they could be seen as a club with the ambition — and the attacking quality — to climb much higher.

Final Thoughts

Leeds’ £18m deal for AC Milan striker Noah Okafor is more than just another transfer. It’s a statement of intent. Add in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, and suddenly Daniel Farke has the tools to reshape his team’s attacking identity.

The road ahead won’t be without challenges. Okafor still has to adapt to England, Calvert-Lewin must stay fit, and Nmecha needs to prove he belongs at this level. But after seasons of frustration and inconsistency, Leeds finally look like a club ready to take risks, invest in talent, and give their supporters something to believe in.

For a fanbase that thrives on passion, hard work, and attacking football, this new-look forward line could be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.