Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce needs a striker, could he go back in for a former loan recruit?
Chuba Akpom appears to have finally grown tired of waiting for a chance at Arsenal. According to The Mirror, the 21-year-old is now seeking pastures new this summer after failing to make a single first-team appearance for The Gunners last season.
However, links with both Leeds United and Celtic have divided the opinion of supporters. Though still young and rated highly at Arsenal, Akpom’s record in senior football leaves a lot to be desired.
He’s spent time at five different clubs on loan since the beginning of 2013/14 and has only scored for one of them. However, it’s the identity of that one club that makes you wonder whether another Championship side will challenge Leeds for his signature.
Despite scoring just seven goals for Hull City in 2015/16, Akpom clearly won over manager Steve Bruce, making 42 appearances in the Championship as The Tigers sealed a return to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Brucey bonus?
And, just over year later, Bruce is attempting to repeat the feat with Aston Villa though his lack of centre-forwards threatens to leave the Midland giants short in attack once more.
With Scott Hogan limping out of a defeat to Reading a week ago, plus news that Jonathan Kodjia has suffered a back injury while attempting to recover from a broken ankle, has been exacerbated by local rivals Birmingham City beating Villa to the loan signing of Southampton targetman Sam Gallagher.
Therefore, Akpom’s possibly availability will surely catch Bruce’s eye.
“He has a lot to do and a lot to learn, but, in terms of raw talent, you don’t have to watch him long to realise the natural ability that he has. Only a few are blessed with that,” Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail of the young striker back in 2015.
Could Akpom realise his potential via a reunion with Bruce at Villa Park?
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