As the January transfer window heats up, AC Milan are poised to make significant changes to its squad, with forward Noah Okafor emerging as a key player in potential negotiations. The Swiss international, who joined Milan from RB Salzburg in 2023, has had a mixed tenure at the club, and recent developments suggest that his time in Milan may be coming to an end.
Calciomercato detail how Okafor’s journey at Milan has been marked by challenges. Since his arrival, he has made 51 appearances and scored seven goals, but his impact this season has been limited. In 16 matches across all competitions, he has managed to find the net only once, a disappointing return given the expectations placed upon him. His playing time has been further hampered by injuries, which have sidelined him for significant stretches.
Recent reports indicate that RB Leipzig is showing strong interest in acquiring Okafor. The German club is actively pursuing a deal, and discussions are currently underway between the two teams. For Milan, this presents an opportunity to offload a player who has not consistently fit into their plans under head coach Sérgio Conceição. The arrival of Conceição has not altered Okafor’s status within the squad; instead, it appears to have solidified the notion that he is expendable.
The Rossoneri’s management team, including sporting director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani, is keen on securing a permanent transfer for Okafor rather than a loan deal. This strategy aligns with their goal of generating funds to reinvest in the squad. To achieve a profitable sale and avoid a capital loss, Milan is seeking a transfer fee of at least €11 million for Okafor. Having initially signed him for approximately €15.5 million, this figure would allow them to register a modest profit.
Okafor’s contract with Milan runs until 2027 and includes an annual salary of around €2 million net. His financial impact on the club’s balance sheet is significant; as of June 30, he was valued at €12.4 million. Thus, any sale below the desired figure could result in a financial setback for the club.
The potential departure of Okafor also opens up avenues for Milan to explore new signings that better fit Conceição’s tactical vision. The club has already begun evaluating options for reinforcements as they aim to strengthen their attacking options moving forward.
