After promotion from the Championship last season, Leeds United were tasked with improving the frontline to try and aid them in their return to the top-flight.
The hierarchy made two senior centre-forward additions during the off-season, but both signings were free transfers – which led to questions over a lack of investment.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of the additions, subsequently joining the Whites after leaving fellow Premier League side Everton at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Lukas Nmecha was another arrival made by the board, with the pair already netting 16 combined goals in the first 26 matches of the league campaign at Elland Road.
However, the aforementioned duo weren’t the only attackers to make a move to Yorkshire in the summer, with one other forward reinforcement capturing the hearts of the fanbase.
The stats behind Noah Okafor’s return to form at Leeds
As part of the summer recruitment drive by the hierarchy, a fee in the region of £18m was forked out for the signature of attacker Noah Okafor from Italian side AC Milan.
The Swiss international’s arrival generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, given his experience at the top of European football, something which has proved vital for the Whites.
He’s already racked up 24 appearances for Farke’s side this campaign, scoring on three occasions, with the forward enjoying a decent run of form in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has netted in each of the last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, with the attacker starting to show glimpses of his top-level quality.
His performance against Forest in particular was arguably his best for the club, with the forward completing two dribbles and making four crosses during the triumph.
Okafor’s recent performances will only improve the club’s chances of survival, with the Swiss international giving Farke another impressive forward option alongside Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha.
The Leeds star who’s now worth more than Okafor
As seen by the aforementioned trio’s impact for Leeds this campaign, the club have conducted some excellent business that could help them maintain their top-flight status.
Even in previous years, the club have made quality additions in the transfer market, with many of which allowing them to secure their return to the Premier League last season.
Big-money sales of the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Georginio Rutter were all frowned upon at the time, but there’s no denying their sales have allowed for the current situation.
Bargain additions have also been made during such a period, with the £3.8m deal to land Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zurich back in the summer of 2022 now looking like sensational business.
The Italian arrived in Yorkshire as an unknown quantity to many, but it’s safe to say nearly four years on, he’s certainly captured the hearts of the fanbase.
The 22-year-old has now racked up over a century of appearances for the Whites in such a period, subsequently scoring 23 times – including in the final day win last season, which secured the side the title.
However, after promotion, Gnonto has found consistent minutes hard to come by under Farke, which has undoubtedly led to questions from the fanbase.
He’s only made 16 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26, with only four of his starts coming in the Premier League – subsequently failing to score.
Gnonto, who’s been dubbed “special” by former caretaker boss Michael Skubala, has only netted once this campaign – with his only effort coming against Derby County in the FA Cup.
|
Wilfried Gnonto – Championship stats (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
43 |
|
Goals & assists |
15 |
|
Pass accuracy |
82% |
|
Successful dribbles |
1.7 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
5.5 |
|
Chances created |
1.8 |
|
Shots taken |
3.2 |
Such a scenario has been baffling to many, given his tally of 15 goal contributions last term, with his long-term future under Farke in Yorkshire certainly up in the air.
However, his lack of action hasn’t stopped his market value from soaring in recent months, with the youngster now valued at £22.7m by FootballTransfers.
Such a valuation is currently higher than that of summer addition Okafor, who’s only valued at £15.1m, despite his recent flurry of Premier League goals.
There’s no denying that the Swiss star is currently ahead of Gnonto in the manager’s plans, with the future of the Italian and the Whites certainly one that needs sorting out.
The 22-year-old is too big a talent to be on the bench on a consistent basis, which could force the hierarchy to cash in on his services during the summer transfer window.
Such a decision may be an unpopular one with the fans, just like the aforementioned departures, but it could be one that allows the club to build towards a bigger future in the years ahead.
Farke must immediately drop Leeds flop who was worse than Bijol vs Chelsea
Leeds United secured a superb point away at Chelsea last night to boost their Premier League survival bid.
