Birmingham City suffer potential setback in pursuit of Chuba Akpom as Championship rivals join race

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Chuba Akpom has spent the last couple of years in the Netherlands at Ajax after departing Middlesbrough in 2023.

Birmingham City want to sign the striker on loan, with a view to making the deal a permanent one if promotion to the Premier League is won.

After a decent start to life in Amsterdam, his form dropped off and he was sent out on loan to Lille in France. However, he could now get a second chance in the Championship.

Blues are pushing for a top six finish after their record-breaking League One campaign last time out, but they are not the only second tier side who are keen on the services of Akpom.

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Middlesbrough make a move for Chuba Akpom

According to a report from The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough are in advanced talks as they look to re-sign the 29-year-old following his Riverside exit two years ago.

The Teessiders have been busy putting together a lucrative deal for Akpom, but they are facing stiff competition in the form of Birmingham.

Blues have been free-spending under the ownership of Tom Wagner, while minority shareholder Tom Brady was keen to build a new squad last summer following relegation to League One.

Whether Middlesbrough can compete with the West Midlands outfit for Akpom is now the question, but the former England U21 international is a fan favourite at the Riverside Stadium and this could play a part in the ongoing negotiations.

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Rob Edwards needs a star signing at Middlesbrough

It’s been a really quiet summer so far for Boro, with just two new faces through the door in TS3 during the transfer window.

After Josh Coburn left for Millwall, there will be a desire to see another number nine come in and someone who can provide the same impact as the one that Emmanuel Latte Lath had before he left in January.

Akpom can be that striker for Middlesbrough but there will be fears that the financial power of Birmingham could prove to be just too much to fight.