Chuba Akpom is one of the many strikers linked with Sunderland in this January transfer window. He looked set to join Lille but in dramatic style, that move could now be in jeopardy.
Chuba Akpom is well known in the Championship and on the north east. He won the Championship Golden Boot with Middlesbrough 2022/23 after scoring an incredible 28 goals in the league that season.
Sunderland have been linked with Akpom who’s wanted off the books at Ajax. It was reported that Akpom had three options to leave before deadline day: Sunderland, Fiorentina, and Lille.
Soon after, it was revealed that Akpom was set to join Lille, and he was spotted in the stands as Lille thumped Pierre Ekwah’s St Etienne on Saturday.
Ajax blunder could cost Chuba Akpom his move to Lille
A crazy turn of events may now have Akpom’s move to Ligue 1 on the backburner. L’Equipe report the story which starts with Ajax trying to register new signing and Akpom replacement Oliver Edvardsen for their Eredivisie crunch match against Feyenoord on Sunday.
They’ve been unable to do so, however. Ajax then made the decision to phone up Akpom, who was in France at the time, to ask if he could delay his move to Lille and play for Ajax on Sunday. Akpom rejected.
L’Equipe say Akpom’s move to Lille remains a matter of hours, though what country Akpom is in remains to be seen, and likewise whether or not Ajax take further action over the 28-year-old.
Why Chuba Akpom wants to join Lille over Sunderland
Akpom to Lille looked nailed on just 24 hours ago. Now, although the move still looks likely, there’s a new element of doubt that could grab the attention of Sunderland and many others on deadline day.
But Akpom wants to join Lille because he wants to play Champions League football with the French outfit. That’s just something that Sunderland can’t compete with.
Ajax though look as though they might have frustrated Akpom who might be ready to play anywhere but the club. If Lille become impatient and move on from the move, Sunderland could well be there to pick up the pieces.