Ipswich Town have reportedly made a late approach for Chuba Akpom, joining Birmingham City and former club Middlesbrough in the race for the Ajax attacker, via reports from Dharmesh Sheth on X.
Akpom, 29, departed the Championship back in 2023, leaving Teeside to join Ajax on a permanent basis. However, over the last 12 months, it seems that the English attacker has fallen out of favour with the Dutch Side, and a sudden wave of EFL interest proves that.
Reports emerged yesterday that Birmingham City were on the brink of completing a deal for Akpom, despite a late hijack attempt from former club Middlesbrough. The Blues had been believed to have arranged a loan with a buy obligation of £7 Million upon promotion this season, via Anthony Joseph over on X.
However, a new update has surfaced and now recently-relegated Ipswich Town are also in the running to capture Akpom’s signature this summer, as The Tractor Boys look to prepare for an instant promotion back to the Premier League this coming season.
What does Chuba Akpom offer in the Championship?
With a trio of clubs now looking to sign Akpom, let’s dig deeper into why he is highly sought after at the Championship level. Last time the 29-year-old featured in England’s second tier, Akpom was able to grab 28 goals for Middlesbrough in just 40 appearances.
Reading through statistics provided via FotMob from Akpom’s thrilling season in 2022/2023, the striker managed to rank himself amongst the best forwards in the Championship in terms of attacking play. With an xG of 22, 17.3 of which being Non-Penalty XG, the signs are clear that the 29-year-old forward is a player of seriously good pedigree in England’s second division.
With positive statistics in the chances created area, alongside fantastic dribble success rates (55.1%) putting him at the top end of the list as a complete striker. The interest that has come this summer isn’t surprising, as Akpom would definitely be a huge addition to any Championship-level club this summer.
Where Is The Most Likely Destination For Chuba Akpom This Summer?
With interest from multiple sides, including a deal virtually being complete with Birmingham City, where now seems the most likely destination for Akpom is a huge question, as the opportunities that lay on the table are all very exciting.
Birmingham City
With Chris Davies’ Birmingham being active in the transfer window already this summer, and some really exciting transfers completed, The Blues really don’t look like they are going to mess around this season.
However, if Akpom was to move to St. Andrews, he’d become the fourth player who primarily plays as a No.9 at Birmingham, meaning minutes would be very dependable on who Davies fancies up top.
With the addition of Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes, of whom has a brilliant past goalscoring record himself, alongside Jay Stansfield and also the experienced Lyndon Dykes in-house at Birmingham, that would provide The Blues with a large amount of attacking quality at this level.
Akpom could still choose Birmingham over any other move, though, as the project that The Blues look to be setting up seems to be something very unique, especially with the sheer quality brought into the club this summer, which portrays a picture that BCFC are looking to complete a back-to-back promotion this season.
Middlesbrough
Having previously enjoyed his Championship success up in Teeside, and also the promising appointment of Rob Edwards also completed earlier on this summer, a move back to well-known land for Akpom could well be an option he should consider if things are agreed on club level.
With the exciting promise of how Edwards will set up Middlesbrough going into the Championship season that starts in just a matter of days, Akpom could be a huge part of any success for Boro, especially considering the lack of firepower held up top at the Riverside.
With only the experience of Tommy Conway on the cards, plus the back-up of 19-year-old Sonny Finch, moving for somebody like Akpom who knows what it means to play for Middlesbrough seems like a no-brainer, especially with positive goals for the new season at the club.
Boro would love to resign Akpom and with play-offs looking like a serious possibility this year, a move to a side who could be in with serious contention for promotion to the Premier League in the next 12 months seems the right way to go, especially joining a club the 29-year-old has played at before.
Ipswich Town
With the sudden interest from Ipswich Town emerging in recent hours, Akpom’s Birmingham switch that was almost certainly going to go through has been swayed as Kieran McKenna’s side come knocking.
With a chance at an instant return to the Premier League and the project at Ipswich Town showing yet more positive signs for the future, plus the potential versatility that Chuba Akpom would offer off the back of pre-season injuries and departures, a move to Portman Road could well be on the cards.
George Hirst is the only strong attacker with good experience, backed up by the less proven Ali Al-Hamadi, Ipswich have been looking at many options to come in and provide not only competition but important cover behind some of their best outlets ahead of the new season.
Akpom’s Championship firepower and experience could be a key reason as to why Ipswich have suddenly thrown an offer onto the table, as The Tractor Boys look to get themselves ready for a season of intensity and fun, preparing to hopefully find an instant return to the top flight.
With all of these offers on the table, where can you see the 29-year-old ending up this summer? Let us know your opinions in the comments down below!
