Leeds United want Chuba Akpom and are ready to pounce for the Middlesbrough striker if Michael Carrick doesn’t secure promotion.
That’s according to TalkSPORT, who claim that Akpom has become a real man in demand.
Leeds are interested in a summer deal but so are Premier League rivals Everton and Crystal Palace.
It’s suggested that half a dozen Premier League clubs want Akpom – but it will all hinge on Boro’s promotion hopes.
Carrick has been working wonders at the Riverside Stadium, taking them to third in the Championship table.
Boro haven’t given up on automatic promotion just yet and a playoff place looks to be on the cards for Carrick’s side.
That means any plans to sign Akpom will have to wait a while yet as Boro will hope to be in the end-of-season promotion mix.
Chuba Akpom surely wants Premier League chance
Akpom is under contract with Boro until 2024 after a one-year option in his contract was activated.
This came after Akpom became a star under Carrick and he has now smashed 21 goals in 28 Championship games this season.
The 27-year-old appears to be fulfilling his potential from his Arsenal days and Carrick has really unlocked his quality.
Few really saw this coming from Akpom.
The former England Under-21 international scored just five goals in his first Boro season and was sent on loan to PAOK in Greece last season.
Had Boro pulled off a late deal for Preston North End striker Emil Riis, there’s a chance Akpom would have been on the fringes of the team.
Instead, Akpom can’t stop scoring and after flattering to deceive for many years, he’s now on the top of this game.
Akpom was once highly regarded at Arsenal but only ever made four first-team appearances.
Whether it’s Boro, Leeds, Everton, Palace or somebody else, Akpom will be desperate to play in the Premier League next season and his form could make that a reality.
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