Newcastle join Liverpool in race to sign ‘magnificent’ 22-year-old forward

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Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign RB Salzburg forward Noah Okafor, with Liverpool also believed to be interested in the 22-year-old.

According to Il Mattino, the Magpies have joined Napoli in the growing list of clubs keen on signing Okafor this summer, with the Swiss international enjoying a fantastic season with the Austrian giants that has seen the youngster hit ten goals and five assists in all competitions.

Newcastle are not the only Premier League side chasing Okafor, with Sky Germany reporting that Liverpool also hold an interest in the Salzburg star, with Jurgen Klopp potentially in the market for a replacement for Roberto Firmino, who is set to leave Anfield at the end of this season.

An attacker lauded as ‘magnificant’ by former Switzerland U-21 manager Mauro Lustrinelli, Newcastle joining the race to sign Okafor is perhaps no real surprise given how Eddie Howe is keen to add to his attack this summer, with the 22-year-old an ideal target for the Toon.

Indeed, Okafor has led the line impressively for Salzburg this season, and with Callum Wilson’s role in the squad fading more into the background, the 22-year-old Swiss star could be an ideal long-term replacement for the Newcastle striker, as well as solid competition for Alexander Isak.

Moreover, with Okafor similar enough to the Swedish international, Howe will have an exceptional striking option to spearhead Newcastle’s attack should Isak once again become injured, a problem that has already occurred this season for the Magpies.

Newcastle should look to sign Okafor despite strong competition

Interest is high in Okafor, with the likes of Liverpool chasing the Salzburg youngster in what could develop into another exciting transfer battle this summer. Yet for Newcastle, the Toon must do all they can to sign the Swiss international in the window.

With Howe set for his first season as a European manager and Newcastle due to return to the continent for the first time in over a decade, squad depth will be key if the Magpies are to succeed on all fronts. And Okafor could prove to be the perfect competition for Isak in the striker position in the years to come.