Six French Ligue 1 clubs are interested in signing Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom following his struggle for game time at Ajax, Soccernet.ng reports.
Akpom joined Ajax from Championship club Middlesbrough last year, after having a splendid campaign, but it has been a tough start to life for him.
When he just arrived at the club, they were going through a transition period when they had just lost some of their best players. The team was off-color and was struggling to win games. With the team struggling, there was little that the former Arsenal man could have done.
This season, Ajax are doing better, as they currently sit second in the Eredivisie, six points behind leaders PSV.
But despite their uptrend, Akpom has not gotten a lot of game time as he has 26 appearances across all competitions. In the Eredivisie, he has started nine of 14 games, and in the Europa League, he has started in only one of Ajax's six games.
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Due to his struggle for game time, there have been speculations that Akpom could leave Ajax this January. It is not even the first that he has been linked with an exit
Last summer, there were reports that he could move to the Premier League, but it did not work out.
Nottingham Forest are now trying again for Chuba Akpom after Ajax decision to reject opening bid.
Akpom wants #NFFC but depends on clubs. pic.twitter.com/wXLYHD7ehc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Now, according to Soccernews, the 29-year-old is not short of suitors. This is as six Ligue 1 clubs are seriously interested in signing him in January. Stade Rennes, OGC Nice, Nantes, Saint-Etienne, RC Lens, and Lille OSC have all shown interest in Akpom.
There's nothing from Akpom's side, but he would prioritize where he would get first-team football and still challenge for trophies.
Meanwhile, Akpom may find it tough to leave Ajax. This is as coach Francesco Farioli has stated that he does not want any of his players to leave the club in January.
“One of my wishes is that I don’t lose any players. We are getting to know each other better and accepting each other’s limitations,” Farioli said.
“They deserve to be at Ajax and I like having them here. We don’t determine the market, but if you ask me what my wish is, it is that they all stay on board.”
Akpom's contract lasts until 2028, so Ajax have the upperhand in this situation. Thus, only a good offer would convince them to let go of the former Middlesbrough man.
