Everton will revisit their interest in the transfer of Middlesbrough star Chuba Akpom in the summer market. But the Goodison Park side face increased competition to sign the striker.
That is according to All Nigeria Soccer, which reports that Akpom’s brilliant form so far this season is attracting widespread interest. The 27-year-old leads the Golden Boot race in the Championship on 21 goals. No other player has scored more than 17 times so far this term.
Middlesbrough know they have a valuable asset on their hands so have extended Akpom’s contract. His deal at the Riverside Stadium was due to expire at the end of this season. But Boro held an option to prolong his stay until June 2024 and plan to discuss a new contract.
Everton now face increased competition for the transfer of Chuba Akpom
Everton will look to test Middlesbrough’s resolve and target Akpom’s transfer, though. The Toffees appreciate what the forward has achieved in the second-tier so far this season. But the Goodison natives are far from alone in admiring what Akpom could offer in their team.
Crystal Palace and Southampton are also monitoring the Arsenal product in view of a move over the off-season. But Borussia Monchengladbach and Werder Bremen are now keeping tabs on his performances. The Bundesliga rivals hold a genuine interest in making a swoop.
Die Fohlen and Die Werderaner intend to track Akpom’s efforts until the end of the season with a view to submitting offers. Borussia Monchengladbach are especially keen as Marcus Thuram is out of contract on June 30. He also has 11 goals in 22 German top-flight fixtures.
Did Everton target the Middlesbrough striker in the January 2023 window?
Crystal Palace, Everton and Southampton also explored a transfer from Middlesbrough for Akpom in January, the Daily Mail reported. The forward had enthralled the Premier League rivals with his efforts on Teesside. They all felt he would help add life to their timid attacks.
As the mid-season sales slammed shut, only Wolves (12) had scored fewer goals in the top-flight than the Toffees (15). Southampton possessed the fourth-worst offence with 17 and Crystal Palace boasted just 18 goals. Each team had played 20 times by the end of January.
Failing to sign Akpom in January has not helped Crystal Palace, Everton or Southampton to improve their records much, either. Since February 1, only Chelsea and Newcastle United (2) have scored fewer goals than the Eagles and Saints (3), while the Toffees have only hit four.
Chuba Akpom has become a history-maker since staying at the Riverside
Akpom, meanwhile, has since become a history-maker at Middlesbrough as the club’s first 20-goal striker in 33 years. Bernie Slaven in 1989/90 was the Teesside outfit’s last player to score 20 or more goals in a single league season. And Michael Carrick lauds Akpom’s form.
“It’s a terrific achievement,” Boro manager Carrick said, via quotes by ITV. “It’s not easy to score that many goals. He’s scored all different type of goals for us since I’ve been here.
“I thought his performance [against Reading on Saturday, during which he let Marcus Forss convert Middlesbrough’s second penalty when Akpom was on for a hat-trick] was fantastic. He gets credit for his goals but his performance, all-round, was terrific.”
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