Arsenal are keeping tabs on RB Salzburg star Noah Okafor and could make a move for the centre-forward this summer, according to various reports. Fellow London rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also eyeing a move for the 22-year-old.
Noah Okafor plays as a centre-forward for Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. The Swiss attacker has 10 goals and 5 assists in 31 games this season (stats via Transfermarkt). Since joining from FC Basel in 2019, he has had an impressive haul of 34 goals and 23 assists from 108 games.
The centre-forward was also a part of the Switzerland national squad in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He managed 3 appearances off the bench in the team’s run to the Round of 16 in Qatar. He has featured 14 times for the national side, scoring 2 goals.
As reported by Metro, Arsenal are interested in securing a transfer for Noah Okafor in the 2023 summer transfer window. The Swiss centre-forward has a contract with RB Salzburg until 2024. He also changed his agent recently, hinting at a possible push for a transfer this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the young striker could be available for a price of just £25m. However, the 22-year-old is attracting interest from a lot of top clubs. Within the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur have lined up a move for the player in case Harry Kane leaves while West Ham United are also in the running.
Meanwhile, Italian outlet Calciomercato (via Milan Reports) reported that the Salzburg striker appreciated the interest from AC Milan, and even asked his agent to investigate a possible transfer. The Serie A club are genuine admirers of the Swiss forward. High interest from several top clubs could lead to a bidding war which may ramp up the price for the young striker.
🚨-Arsenal register interest in signing Noah Okafor.
💶-The forward would cost a reported amount of around 25M.
🔗-The 22-year-old has also been looked at by Tottenham and West Ham.
📊-Following a breakout season last term in which he scored 14 times in 34 appearances. pic.twitter.com/Rik73QnB2a
— afcsphere (@afcsphere) March 20, 2023
Noah Okafor primarily plays down the middle, but can work as a right-winger or left-winger. The left-footed attacker is also effective in dropping deeper and carrying the ball forward.
Arsenal currently have quality options in attack. Gabriel Jesus has hit the ground running after an injury lay-off while Eddie Nketiah is a great backup. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Emile Smith Rowe offer great variety down the left flank. Only the right-wing looks a little bare, as Bukayo Saka has no natural back-up.
The 22-year-old loves to attack the box with aggressive movements on or off the ball. Apart from being a solid dribbler, he also possesses excellent movement off the ball. He is also a hard worker in defence, and would compliment Mikel Arteta’s high-pressing system well.
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On the flip-side, the North London side do not need another centre-forward profile urgently. Although Noah Okafor could be a good attacking addition for Arsenal, they have other areas that require more attention at the moment.
The Gunners need a backup right winger, and some depth in the midfield and players for full-back positions. The Swiss may also not get regular minutes at the Emirates. The young forward would rather benefit from a move to a club where he would immediately be a starter.
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