Chuba Akpom transfer update: Nigerian forward left in limbo as Lille and Ajax close doors

Chuba Akpom is facing an uncertain future this summer after both Ajax and Lille made it clear he is not part of their long-term plans, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old Nigerian striker, who joined Ajax from Middlesbrough for just over €12 million in 2023, spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Ligue 1 side Lille.

Despite scoring three goals — including a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory over Reims on the final day of the season — and providing one assist in 14 appearances, Lille have opted not to activate a permanent deal for the former Arsenal academy graduate.

That decision has left Akpom in limbo, with Ajax also reportedly instructing him to find a new club.

According to De Telegraaf via AjaxShowTime, Ajax have placed Akpom and four other players on the transfer list as they no longer feature in the plans of new sporting director Alex Kroes.

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Chuba Akpom transfer update: Nigerian forward left in limbo as Lille and Ajax close doors

The group — which includes Sivert Mannsverk, Carlos Forbs, Borna Sosa, and Josip Medic — were all signed under the watch of former director Sven Mislintat and are considered surplus to requirements. The quintet reportedly commands hefty wages, complicating Ajax’s hopes of moving them on quickly.

Akpom, who has switched international allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at youth level, is under contract at Ajax until June 2028 and has a current market value of €7 million according to Transfermarkt.

While interest in the forward has emerged from across Europe, Ajax are said to be struggling to offload their outcasts. The club has even gone as far as moving the players into ‘dressing room two’ to make their status clear, a symbolic gesture of their exclusion from the first-team setup.

For Akpom, the next few weeks will be crucial in securing a fresh start as he looks to revive his career away from Amsterdam.