West Ham-linked forward who Newcastle United bid £32m for set for medical

Red Bull Salzburg forward Noah Okafor is on the verge of joining Serie A giants AC Milan.

The Switzerland international claimed earlier this month that 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 from Real Sociedad for a club-record £60m.

Okafor insisted he was also on the Magpies’ radar but didn’t know about the 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.”

In the same interview, Okafor hinted at a move elsewhere this summer and it’s since been confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano he’s set to join AC Milan. The Italian club, who pocketed £52m from Sandro Tonal’s switch to St James’ Park, will pay around £12m for the 23-year-old.

Okafor has agreed a long-term contract with his medical set to place today.

The versatile forward came through the youth ranks at Swiss club Basel and scored seven goals in 54 appearances before joining Salzburg in January 2020. Okafor has scored 34 goals and registered 23 assists for the Austrian champions.