Chuba Akpom was informed that he was no longer needed at Ajax just before the club started their pre-season…
Nigerian attacker Chuba Akpom is set to complete a transfer to newly-promoted English Championship club Birmingham City, Soccernet.ng reports.
Akpom spent the second half of last season on loan at Ligue 1 club Lille, as he was unhappy at Ajax.
However, the French club decided against signing him at the end of the loan, meaning that he had to return to Ajax.
Meanwhile, Ajax already parted ways with Francesco Farioli, who led them to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie last season, and appointed John Heitinga.
So, Akpom's place on the team was not certain due to the managerial change. Then, just before the start of the club's pre-season, Soccernet.ng reported that the Nigerian attacker was brutally informed that he was surplus to requirements.
The 29-year-old attacker, who turns 30 in October, has been away from the club since then. He has also been linked with multiple clubs, but none of the links materialised until now.
According to Sky Sports, Akpom has agreed to join Birmingham on a season-long loan with a buy option if the club gets promoted to the Premier League next season.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs reports that Akpom's former club, Middlesbrough, where he excelled under the tutelage of then-coach Michael Carrick, wanted to hijack the transfer, but Akpom decided to stick with Birmingham City.
Can Chuba Akpom Help Birmingham City Gain Premier League Promotion?
Chuba Akpom joining Birmingham City is a very good deal for the club, as he has Championship experience, and that will come in handy.
Just three seasons ago, he put up 28 goals in a single Championship season to help Boro reach the playoffs.
Moreover, they have been quite active in the transfer market this summer. They've brought in decent additions like Demarai Grey, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel, and more might still come.
If coach Chris Davies gets his tactics right, Birmingham City could steal a Premier League promotion slot next season.
Can Akpom Win a Super Eagles Call-Up at Birmingham City?
Chuba Akpom represented England at the youth level, but he never got called up to the senior team.
In recent years, the Arsenal Academy graduate has occasionally iterated his intention to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but he has not been called up.
At Birmingham City, while he will be focused on helping the club gain promotion, he will also hope that his performances get him a look-in for the Super Eagles.
Akpom is closing in on his 30s, and if he doesn't get an invitation soon, he might never get the chance to play for Nigeria again.
