Arsenal got rid of Chuba Akpom last summer but the striker could reporteldy be heading back to the Premier League with West Ham United.
Chuba Akpom might have never made the grade at Arsenal but he still shares something in common with North London legends from Thierry Henry to Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell to Patrick Vieira.
Like that ‘Invincible’ Arsenal team of 2004, Akpom has achieved the almost unachievable. Last season, he won a league title while after to lose a single game all season long.
With six goals in 20 matches, the Canning Town native was a key part of the PAOK side who stormed to Greek Super League glory in May, winning 26 and drawing four of their 30 domestic fixtures.
And, after helping PAOK to their first league title in 34 years, reports from The Mail claim that Akpom could be rewarded with a return to England. Specifically, to the club situated just a stone’s throw from his birthplace in East London.
West Ham United apparently watched the former Gunners starlet score four times in a pre-season friendly against Fortuna Sittard and they are now lining up a bid for the £5 million-rated former England U21 international.
Akpom’s 17 years at Arsenal might have resulted in just 12 goalless appearances but legendary manager Arsene Wenger was never in doubt about the powerful forward’s potential. In fact, it was only when Wenger was replaced by Unai Emery that Akpom was forced out of the club he joined at the age of six.
“I sent him out on loan last year, because I thought he needed that, and this season no, I plan to keep him with us,” Wenger told The Guardian after Akpom scored a pre-season hat-trick against a Singapore XI in 2015.
“It’s down to performance and attitude. Let’s not forget it’s a friendly, he is talented but he has to work.”
Arsenal fans might have thought they had seen the last of Akpom once he sealed a £900,000 move to Greece 12 months ago.
But with West Ham interested, could this Arsene Wenger favourite fulfil his vast potential just 6 miles down the road?
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