Top Sunderland striker target Chuba Akpom has agreed to move away from Dutch side Ajax.
The Black Cats are still in the midst of their hunt for attackers before the January deadline.
Sunderland have just brought in one, albeit very ambitious, signing so far, with Enzo Le Fee joining on loan from Roma, and there is no doubt that Kristjaan Speakman is looking to replicate the calibre of such signing with the strikers they have been linked with.
One man they have been linked to recently is Marcus Edwards from Sporting Lisbon, as well as French striker Willem Geubbels. The pair of attackers linked with a move to Wearside certainly hold a high calibre in regard to talent and reputation, and that is without a doubt the same as alternative target Chuba Akpom.
Sunderland have been looking to acquire the services of former Middlesbrough man Chuba Akpom this January, and it has now been reported that he has reached an agreement with a club.
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Sunderland target Chuba Akpom set for Lille move as loan-to-buy option agreed with Ajax
Speakman had initially targeted Akpom as an option to help bolster Regis Le Bris’ backline this season, and he was hoping to replicate the deal for Le Fee with the striker, with Sunderland offering a loan-to-buy deal for the attacker.
Unfortunately for Sunderland, it has now been reported, via David Ornstein on X, that French side Lille have reached an agreement to sign Akpom, with the striker being handed permission by Ajax to complete a medical ahead of a loan-to-buy deal.
The Ligue 1 outfit have managed to beat Premier League, European and Championship interest, including from Sunderland, who will now look elsewhere to add competition to their attacking ranks.
Kristjaan Speakman needs to balance ambition with realism as they miss out on another target
First of all, there is no doubt that it is a breath of fresh air for Sunderland to be linked and be a genuine contender in signing such a high-calibre of player this January, going from unproven youngsters to attackers with experience in European competitions.
However, Sunderland need to balance their ambition with realism at such a late point of the January transfer window, with Le Bris making it clear that an attacker is needed.
In the final days, if Sunderland can pull off alternative deals for either Edwards or Geubbels, or another ambitious option in the making, then Le Bris will be set up as best as possible for a promotion battle, but it is still a risk nonetheless for Speakman to take with so little time left in the January window.
The Director of Football has very little time to act, and the likelihood of Sunderland guaranteeing a signing for the rest of this January is if Speakman does realign the balance between ambition and realism.