Middlesbrough may have paved way for Chuba Akpom to leave as Everton seek January deal – Sky Sports
Everton are interested in signing Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom, and a deal could well be on the cards as the Teesside outfit reportedly close in on Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer, as relayed by Sky Sports journalist David Garrido.
The Boro striker is in red-hot form right now in the Sky Bet Championship, currently standing as the division’s top scorer with 12 goals from 19 games, and leading Michael Carrick’s tremendous renaissance at the Riverside Stadium.
Akpom’s form has led to serious interest from the Premier League, with Frank Lampard’s Everton registering an interest [Daily Mail, 2 January] along with other English top-flight clubs in Southampton and Crystal Palace.
And Middlesborough may be willing to let their top-scorer leave this month, with Sky Sports‘ Garrido also reporting that the club are lining up a move for Aston Villa’s young striker Archer as a potential replacement.
Is Akpom the answer?
The Toffees are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, having only registered just 14 goals in their 18 games so far, which stands as the join-third lowest in the Premier League.
And if the club are to escape their dreadful plight in the league table, Lampard will certainly need to address such a pressing issue in the attack.
Everton’s two centre-forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay have both registered just once combined all campaign, though the latter is only returning from an injury spell.
A move for Akpom does make sense given his sensational form for Middlesborough so far this campaign, but his lack of Premier League experience may not be enough to get the Toffees out of their lowly position in the table. And with Calvert-Lewin back fit, Akpom may not be guaranteed starts.
Everton possibly need an upgrade on the England international, and Akpom isn’t the answer despite his good form.