The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 22nd January) Will Okafor make way for Buonanotte
Good Morning. It's Thursday 22nd January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Will Okafor make way for Buonanotte
Despite establishing himself as a primary option in Daniel Farke's attack, with 14 starts in 19 league appearances, Noah Okafor's influence is starting to dwindle. The Swiss International, an £18m summer puchase from AC Milan in the summer, came to Elland Road with high expectations, but has yet to set the World alight.
He's netted twice in just over 1100 minutes of game time, picking up a rather modest Whoscored rating of 6.58, ranking him tenth in Daniel Farke's squad. He was bought to Elland Road for both his creativity and adaptibilty up front, but with the arrival of Facundo Buonanotte, will we see him slip down the pecking order?
The Brighton ace has made it clear, he's not coming to Leeds to make up the numbers, so something has to give, and why should it be Aaronson that gets dropped. With 4 goals and 3 assists, and major contributions all over the pitch, the USA ace is in the form of his life, and deseres to be named in Daniel Farke's starting XI.
Whites snap up highly rated 'Remo Stars' youngster
Leeds United have quietly added a fresh face to their academy ranks; 18‑year‑old centre‑back Leonard Ngenge, who has signed an 18‑month deal and will head straight into the Thorp Arch set‑up. The youngster arrives from Nigerian powerhouse Remo Stars, the surprise champions of the 24/25 Nigeria Premier Football League, who lifted the trophy for the first time in the club’s history. Ngenge has already tasted senior international football, earning two caps for the Super Eagles in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, and his composure on the ball has drawn praise from both home‑grown coaches and overseas scouts.
It’s no secret that Red Bull’s European clubs, from Salzburg to Leipzig to the Red Bull Bragantino network have a keen eye for young Nigerian talent, often plucking prospects straight out of local academies. Could we be seeing 49ers Enterprises and Red Bull teaming up for the first time to widen Leeds scouting network? If the Red Bull connection holds true, we may soon see a whole new cohort of North African talents donning the white‑blue kit, turning the academy into a truly global talent factory.
Spurs plotting Summerville capture
Spurs are planning a sensational £25m swoop for former Leeds ace Crysensio Summerville. The versatile winger spent four years at Elland Road developing his skills following his £1.5m move from Feyenoord in the summer of 2020. He made 77 senior appearances, netting 23 times, before being poached by West Ham for £26m, plus add ons, four years later.
If he goes, his departure will be seen as a hammer blow for the Eastenders, and perhaps a recognition that Championship football awaits. Out of the bottom three, West Ham look the most likely to perform 'the great escape', but without one of their leading talisman, their task will be all the harder.