Everton want to sign Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom on one condition
Everton want to sign Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom this summer if they fail to get promoted to the Premier League, according to talkSPORT (9 March).
Akpom has scored 21 goals in the Championship this season, with the vast majority of them coming since Michael Carrick joined the club as manager and helping them out of a relegation battle.
But as they look set to enter the playoffs at the end of the season, several Premier League clubs including Everton are keen on signing the ex-England youth international if they fail to earn promotion.
“Middlesbrough goal-machine Chuba Akpom is attracting interest from as many as half a dozen Premier League clubs,” they wrote.
“The 21-goal Akpom is the second top-scorer in England’s top four divisions behind only Erling Haaland.
“Everton, Leeds and Crystal Palace are among a host of sides waiting to pounce for the former Arsenal starlet if Michael Carrick’s Boro fall short in their promotion quest.”
Goals
Everton need goals, and with the position that the team has found themselves in so far they need someone reliable with fitness and with their performances.
Akpom has only been outscored by Erling Haaland this season in England, but this is the first season that he has hit these heights despite being 27-years-old.
There is absolutely no guarantee that he will be able to replicate that in the Premier League, and the last thing that Everton should do if they’re able to avoid the drop this season is gamble on a striker for the new season.
We need to ensure that whoever does come in to lead the line is capable of staying fit first and foremost but also they need to make sure they don’t get fleeced for the transfer fee.
Akpom will only have one year remaining on his contract at the club this summer so any fee is likely to be relatively fair.
If Everton stay up and Middlesbrough stay in the Championship, then Akpom will have a decision to make.
Carrick labelled him as “fantastic” and their relationship has been key to Akpom’s form, and Everton are likely to be in another relegation battle, so he may want to stick around and show loyalty.
Everton need goals and Akpom doesn’t guarantee them despite his good season, but he should definitely be an option.