AC Milan have reportedly joined a number of European clubs, including Liverpool, in the race to sign Red Bull Salzburg striker Noah Okafor.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a key player for the Austrian Bundesliga champions since joining the club in 2020, recording 34 goals and 20 assists in 100 appearances across all competitions.
Okafor has found the net 10 times in 22 games for Salzburg so far this campaign, including a strike in the 1-1 Champions League draw at home against AC Milan in September.
The former Basel youngster's form in Austria is believed to have caught the eye of a number of clubs across Europe, including Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
A report earlier this month claims that the Reds are planning a January move for Okafor, while fellow Premier League sides Arsenal, Manchester City and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest.
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However, Calciomercato reports that Scudetto holders AC Milan are also in the race for Okafor's signature and club director Paolo Maldini is 'increasingly convinced' that the striker will move to San Siro.
The report adds that Milan have been pursuing a deal for the Switzerland international for the last two-and-a-half years and the Rossoneri expressed their admiration for the striker when he played twice against them in the Champions League earlier this season.
Okafor is allegedly looking to leave Salzburg to join a bigger club in 2023, and he would be interested in a potential switch to Milan.
The Italian giants are keen to strike a deal with Salzburg in the January transfer window for the striker, who is valued at €35m (£30.3m).
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Earlier this month, Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund refused to rule out the prospect of Okafor leaving the club in the winter window.
"I think a bit more will happen in the transfer market than in recent years. Okafor really took off last year," Freund told Sky Sports Austria.
"I hope that he plays a good World Cup, then the Noah Okafor stock can become very interesting. I am not ruling it out."
Okafor, who is out of contract at Salzburg in June 2024, is currently away on international duty with Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup, where he has made one cameo appearance off the substitutes' bench.
Oliver Thomas
