Crystal Palace could now get their hands on Chuba Akpom– a player Dougie Freedman signed from Arsenal back in 2015.
What’s the story?
Well, the south Londoners are said to be interested in bringing the 27-year-old to Selhurst Park this month, after he finally found his feet in English football following a permanent exit from Arsenal in 2018.
Akpom was very highly rated after emerging from Arsenal’s Hale End academy, although six loan spells – including one to Freedman’s Nottingham Forest in 2015 – all proved unfruitful.
Now, as the Londoner plunders in goals for Middlesbrough, Freedman – Director of Football at Crystal Palace – wants a reunion, according to the Daily Mail.
Akpom has scored 13 goals in 19 Championship appearances this season to fire Middlesbrough into fifth place, sitting top of the goalscoring charts as a result.
It has been an impressive turnaround following a quiet season-long loan spell at PAOK in the 2021/22 campaign.
Crystal Palace well placed to sign Akpom
In our view, Patrick Vieira is in a fantastic position to sign Akpom with Freedman in charge of recruitment.
Crystal Palace are based in London, so the Middlesbrough No.29 would be coming back home where he’ll be close to family members, which may appeal to him.
The Eagles are also lacking an outstanding No.9 who starts on a weekly basis, so there is an opening for Akpom if he hits the ground running.
Above all, Freedman has previously worked with the Hale End academy graduate, and convinced him to join his Nottingham Forest side, so there should be a solid foundation to complete a deal.
One concern from Crystal Palace should be whether Akpom’s excellent form is simply a purple patch after some disappointing seasons in recent years, although only time will tell if his current success is just a flash in the pan.
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