Chuba Akpom is a name linked with Sunderland ahead of deadline day. There’s been a bit of back and forth already, but we now have the truth behind the rumour.
Chuba Akpom could be on his way back to England after a season-and-a-half in the Netherlands with Ajax, where he’s scored 23 goals in 67 total games.
But the Dutch giant want Akpom off their wage bill sooner rather than later, and Sunderland have been credited with an interest in the 29-year-old former Middlesbrough hitman.
Not just Sunderland, though. Leicester City and Marseille are keen on Akpom too, making potential deal for Akpom difficult for the Black Cats.
To make the topic a bit more uncertain, it’s recently been claimed that Akpom doesn’t want to join Sunderland. For what reason remains unknown, but it could be due to his ties with the Black Cats’ north-east rivals Middlesbrough.
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Graeme Bailey discusses Chuba Akpom to Sunderland
Speaking to Sunderland AFC News, transfer expert and insider Graeme Bailey has given us the lowdown on the situation, confirming that there is interest from Sunderland in signing the Englishman before deadline day.
Bailey says that the Black Cats have ‘asked about’ signing Akpom on loan but reiterates that there’s ‘strong interest’ in the Ajax man, affirming Leicester City’s interest at the same time.
“Chuba Akpom is held in huge regard in the North East after what he did with Middlesbrough,” Bailey said.
“Sunderland want to bolster their options and they have asked about Akpom’s availability – they would like him on loan but there is strong interest elsewhere including Leicester now showing an interest. He won’t be an easy deal to get done but he would a great addition.”
Sunderland want to sign Chuba Akpom’s former Middlesbrough teammate
Akpom is best remembered for his stunning 2022/23 season in the Championship where he scored 28 goals, won the Golden Boot and a handful of Player of the Season awards too.
But he wasn’t the only player who shone for Boro that season with Cameron Archer also netting 11 goals in the Championship whilst on loan from Aston Villa.
Now, Sunderland are interested in Archer who could leave Southampton on loan before the transfer window slams shut, with Championship leaders Leeds United also keen on a deal for the 23-year-old.
With so many players linked, and some exciting names among them too, it could be a very impressive end to the transfer window for the Black Cats.