How Leeds United have responded as Sunderland make late Noah Okafor approach
Leeds United have had to fend off interest from Sunderland in Noah Okafor.
The Whites' Premier League rivals made an enquiry about the 26-year-old on deadline day.
The Swiss star was a regular in Daniel Farke's side last season, making 28 appearances in the Premier League.
He has already played three times in the new campaign, for a total of 160 minutes as he was coming back from injury.
The Whites were firm in their response, which has been revealed in a new update.
Deadline Day on MOT Leeds News is powered by ASUS laptops. Save up to 40% on selected models, with free extras worth over £100 also available on selected laptops. Click here to shop.
How did Leeds respond to Sunderland approach for Noah Okafor?
Leeds denied the Mackems' approach for their star winger, dismissing it out of hand.
The Athletic's Beren Cross claimed on Tuesday that Regis Le Bris' side had checked on his situation.
His report states that the Peacocks shut it down swiftly, with no interest to sell the 26-cap international.
Leeds want to add attackers, rather than lose them, so that stance makes sense, especially this late in the window.
Why Leeds are adding to their attacking options before deadline
The Peacocks have lost Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani, so losing another winger was not an option.
They are set to bring in Jean-Matteo Bahoya, enhancing Farke's options, and would not want to let Okafor go.
If anything, he will provide the inspiration to the new young winger as to what he needs to aspire to, if he is to be a success for the Thorp Arch outfit.
Okafor managed eight goals and one assist in his debut season in England's top flight, which was an impressive haul, and it is a surprise that he has not attracted more interest.
Given Bahoya's inexperience in the division, he can't be relied upon to carry the burden, so the older man will have to step up again and show him the ropes.
Luckily, it seems like they have no appetite to let the Swiss ace depart before the window slams shut on Tuesday evening.