Sunderland ‘made’ late £30m deadline-day move for Leeds forward Noah Okafor | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo reports that Sunderland made a late deadline-day approach for Leeds United forward Noah Okafor, with an offer worth up to €35m, around £30m.

The move came before the 11pm cut-off on Tuesday but did not progress after Okafor made clear he wanted to stay at Elland Road.

Okafor, 26, joined Leeds from AC Milan in August 2025 on a four-year deal for around £17m. The Switzerland international previously played for Basel, Red Bull Salzburg and Milan, and spent time on loan at Napoli.

Able to operate wide or centrally, he made 30 Premier League appearances last season, scoring eight goals. He has featured in all three competitive matches of the new campaign.

Sunderland worked extensively on attacking additions throughout deadline day, with Malick Fofana emerging as their main target amid a battle with Crystal Palace for the Lyon winger.

The Okafor enquiry was another late option considered by Florent Ghisolfi as the club assessed the market in the final hours. With the forward set to remain at Leeds, Sunderland’s hopes ended.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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