Chukwueze move to Fulham fails, Okafor joins Napoli, Iheanacho land in Middlesbrough

Fulham’s ambitious move for AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze failed, according to the Times.
The Craven Cottage outfit are having another impressive season in the Premier League as they are sitting as high as ninth in the table.
In-from attacker Harry Wilson, who has scored five Premier League goals, has now been sidelined with a broken foot injury.
They are in need of a wide attacker and Marco Silva was looking for options in the transfer market with just a couple of hours left in the transfer window.
Fulham initially showed interest in resigning veteran Brazilian winger Willian, who is currently a free agent.
However, they made a move for AC Milan’s Nigeria attacker Chukwueze, which is set to not go through.
Chukwueze is a bit-part player at Rossoneri but he has been regularly used as an impact substitute in the league and in Champions League games as well.
And in a surprising turn of events on the final day of the transfer window, Napoli have reached an agreement with AC Milan’s Noah Okafor, potentially outmanoeuvring Atalanta in the race for the Swiss forward’s signature. The deal, if completed, would likely be in the form of a loan, as Napoli explores various options to bolster their attack.
Calciomercato reports that Napoli’s interest in Okafor has intensified following complications in their pursuit of Allan Saint-Maximin. The proposed move for the French winger has hit a significant roadblock due to issues with Fenerbahçe regarding bonus calculations, prompting Napoli to seek alternatives.
Okafor, who joined Milan in 2023, has struggled to secure regular playing time, making 52 appearances and scoring 7 goals for the Rossoneri. The 24-year-old’s versatility, capable of playing both as a winger and a central striker, aligns with Antonio Conte’s requirements for Napoli’s attacking lineup.
Meanwhile, Atalanta have also expressed interest in Okafor as they look to address their injury crisis in attack. With Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman sidelined, and following Nicolò Zaniolo’s departure to Fiorentina, manager Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to reinforce his offensive options.
Elsewhere, Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho completed his medical with Championship side Middlesbrough on Monday ahead of his unveiling for a loan move until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old Nigerian international has agreed to join the 2004 EFL Cup winners, with Michael Carrick’s side having the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.
According to Sky Sports, Middlesbrough will cover nearly the entire €2m that Iheanacho is still owed by Sevilla for the remainder of the campaign.
Iheanacho endured a difficult spell in Spain since joining Sevilla from Leicester City last summer, failing to score in nine La Liga appearances. His only goals for the club came in the Copa del Rey, where he netted three times.
The arrival of fellow Nigerian forward Akor Adams from Montpellier further limited Iheanacho’s chances at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. He has not featured for Sevilla since the January transfer window opened due to transfer speculation and a minor injury, with the Spanish club making it clear he is not part of their long-term plans.
The former Manchester City striker turned down offers from Greek clubs PAOK and Panathinaikos, as well as Italian side Venezia, in favour of returning to England. A potential move to Scottish champions Celtic, which would have reunited him with former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, also fell through.
Iheanacho will hope to rediscover his scoring touch at the Riverside Stadium as seventh-placed Middlesbrough chases promotion to the Premier League. The Championship side have collected 44 points from 29 matches and currently sit just outside the playoff places.