Multiple sources in Italy claimed AC Milan have reached an agreement with Salzburg to sign 23-year-old striker Noah Okafor who will undergo his medical today.
The Switzerland international scored one goal against Milan last season in a Champions League group-stage game.
He joined Salzburg from Basel in January 2020 to replace Erling Haaland who had signed for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. Okafor has scored 34 goals in 110 appearances with the Austrian side.
He is 1.85m tall and mainly plays as a centre forward, but he can also be deployed on the right or left wing thanks to his pace and quality with the ball at his feet. On paper, he will alternate with Olivier Giroud in the Rossoneri’s attack in 2023-24, but could also start on the left when Rafael Leao needs to rest or on the right in place of Christian Pulisic, Alexis Saelemaekers or Samuel Chukwueze who seems to be very close to joining Milan too.
Stefano Pioli revealed last week that he wanted fast and strong players in one vs. one situations for the right wing and both Okafor and Chukwueze fit the description.
According to Transfermarkt, Okafor has scored 25 goals in 64 appearances as a centre forward, 17 in 64 games on the left wing, and nine in 38 matches on the right flank.
His best season was in 2021-22 when he scored 14 goals in 34 games with Salzburg. He managed 10 in 32 appearances with the Austrian side last term.
Meanwhile, Milan continue talks with Villarreal for Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze and are confident of securing a deal for circa €30m.
In a related development, Pioli has admitted that Mike Maignan can be the dressing room leader replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and praises new signings, especially ‘different’ Christian Pulisic.
The Rossoneri boss spoke to Sky Sport Italia ahead of Milan’s departure for their pre-season tour in the USA yesterday.
There have been many changes at Milanello with Ibrahimovic, Paolo Maldini, Frederic Massara and Sandro Tonali leaving. The Serie A giants have already signed five new players and the sixth one is incoming given that Okafor will undergo his medical today.
“I want a happy Milan and I want to be a happy coach. That’s what I’ve told everyone. They must be happy to be together and play a certain brand of football, wearing a prestigious shirt,” said Pioli. “There is enthusiasm like always at the beginning of the season, we want to have an important campaign.
“It is difficult to win the Scudetto and it reflects the job you’ve done throughout the year. To win the Champions League would be exceptional, but you need luck too. There are many factors.
Pioli was asked which player has the personality to replace Ibrahimovic as the dressing room leader in 2023-24.
“Ibra was the leader of this team; nobody can really replace him, but if I have to name one, I’d say Mike Maignan,” said the coach. “He has mentality and determination and a contagious obsession about being the best. He’s a reference point.”
How about Rafael Leao?
“I expect a further step forward after seeing him in training,” claimed Pioli:”He has room for improvement and can reach an even higher level.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders are Milan’s biggest purchases so far this summer, while Marco Sportiello and Luka Romero have moved to San Siro on free transfers.
“Loftus-Cheek is a strong player, he combines technique and physicality,” said Pioli.
“His late runs can be crucial. We want to dominate and try to play entertaining football with more attacking players who can be decisive in the final third, something we may have lacked in the past.
“Reijnders also has quality. He moves well and is smart. He gives the right solutions to his teammates and he can be dangerous up front. He can score and link up.