34-goal forward wanted by West Ham United reveals £32m Newcastle United transfer offer

Red Bull Salzburg forward Noah Okafor has claimed Newcastle United had a £32million bid rejected for him last summer.

Eddie Howe’s side were in the market for a centre-forward 12 months ago, first attempting to sign young Frenchman Hugo Ekitike before successfully bringing Alexander Isak to St James’ Park for a club-record £60m.

But according to Okafor, he was also on the Magpies’ radar. However, the Switzerland international - a teammate of Fabian Schar - didn’t find out about United’s interest until after the transfer window.

He told the Say Less podcast (via Sky Sport Austria): “I had a lot of offers, four or five for sure. Newcastle was there, West Ham was there, Dortmund a bit too,” said Okafor, describing the situation in the summer of 2022.

“Suddenly it started, I had so many clubs. I think Newcastle bid 38 million euros. I didn’t even know. Salzburg always said: We want you to stay.”

Okafor came through the youth ranks at Swiss club Basel and scored seven goals in 54 appearances before joining Salzburg in January 2020.

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The 23-year-old, who can play anywhere across the front three, has scored 34 goals and registered 23 assists for the Austrian champions.

Okafor was recently linked with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. He could depart this summer after entering the final year of his contract.