RB Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has hinted that Noah Okafor could be sold in the January transfer window following reports that the likes of Liverpool and Leeds United want to sign the attacker.
Speaking to Sky Germany, the Austrian Bundesliga official revealed that there is every chance that Okafor could be sold in the upcoming winter market following an impressive season with Salzburg, with the forward one of the breakout stars of this year’s UEFA Champions League.
Freund said when asked about the Swiss international’s potential future with the reigning Austrian champions: “Okafor really took off last year. I hope he plays well at the World Cup, then the price for him could become very interesting. I don’t rule it out.”
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenburg had reported earlier this week that interest is growing in Okafor with Liverpool one of the sides interested in signing the 22-year-old attacker, with CalcioMercato previously reporting that Leeds are also chasing the Salzburg superstar.
With ten goals in all competitions, including three in the Champions League, there’s a good chance that Okafor will become Salzburg’s next big-money sale with interest already high in the youngster. And for Liverpool and Leeds, this latest update from the club’s sporting director is an encouraging sign.
However, as mentioned by Freund, the World Cup could provide Salzburg an opportunity to further increase Okafor’s asking price, which currently sits at £35m. Meaning for interested sides, the likes of Liverpool and Leeds will be hopeful of a quiet competition from the Swiss youngster this month.
Liverpool or Leeds signing Okafor could come down to World Cup displays
The World Cup has historically inflated transfer fees for players who perform well in the tournament. And for Liverpool and Leeds, this is exactly what they want to avoid in regards to Okafor, who is likely to start for Switzerland later this month.
With the attacker already priced at £35m, any added value could force Liverpool or Leeds to drop their interest in the forward. And because of this, the Premier League duo will be hoping that the Swiss youngster is eliminated at the earliest point.
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