Jobi McAnuff says Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akom is in the ‘form of his life’ amid transfer interest from Premier League strugglers, Everton.
Despite that January transfer interest from Frank Lampard’s side, McAnuff thinks Akpom will make a big call by staying at Championship promotion hopefuls, Middlesbrough.
The 27-year-old is currently the top-scorer in England’s second-tier having bagged 13 goals from his 19 league games under the recently-appointed, Michael Carrick.
There is every chance Boro can, not only secure a play-off finish, but a push into the automatic places. They are currently sitting fifth in the table 12 points behind second-placed, Sheffield United.
If that promotion charge is to happen, then Boro need to keep hold of Akpom this month.
Former EFL star McAnuff thinks that could happen and he also feels the Championship side will take up the option to extend his current contract – which expires in the summer – by 12 months, as he told Good Morning Transfers on Sky Sports News (05/01/23).
“I expect Middlesbrough to extend that contract with the form that he is in,” said McAnuff. “It’s the form of his life. He’s had a very interesting journey up to this point.
“He played abroad over in Greece. Also in Belgium and now he is hitting a purple patch. The top-scorer in the Championship with 13, and since Micheal Carrick has come in, it’s nine goals in ten games under him.
“He’s played in a slightly withdrawn role, just behind a central striker. He can link the play. But what he really does when he scores is that he breaks at real pace and gets himself into the box. He has a different array of finishes. I can see Middlesbrough doing everything they can to keep hold of him and certainly for their promotion aspirations, it will be really important to keep him.
“On his side, maybe a chance to join a Premier League club in the January transfer window. But when you are playing as well as you are and clearly enjoying his football, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stick it out for the rest of the season.”
EVERTON’S FORWARD TROUBLES
There is serious pressure on Lampard at Goodison Park and things went from worse to well and truly atrocious when they were thrashed 4-1 by Brighton.
That lack of goal threat, with Neal Maupay struggling and Dominic Calvert-Lewin being off it for well over 12 months now is pretty prominent.
Therefore, signing someone like Akpom would be of great help, the issue the Toffees have is that they aren’t the only ones keen on his signature because Crystal Palace and Southampton are also want to bring him in.
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