Everton set to miss out on Chuba Akpom as Sheffield United make their move

Everton could be set to miss out on yet another transfer target this summer, as Sheffield United have made their move to sign Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom, according to Alan Nixon.

The newspaper journalist reported via his Patreon on 3 August that Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom wants last season's Championship top scorer, who could be available for £8million as he is in the last year of his contract.

This news has emerged following the Blades' key striker, and other Everton target, Illiman Ndiaye's exit, with the forward having left the club to join Marseille.

News that Sheffield United have made their move for Akpom looks like bad news for the Toffees, who were linked with a move for the striker by TEAMtalk on 24 May.

Everton have seen a few strikers escape their clutches so far this summer, missing out on deals for Viktor Gyokeres, who went to Sporting, the aforementioned deal for Ndiaye to join Marseille, El Bilal Toure who has moved to Atalanta, and Southampton striker Che Adams who has received an offer from Bournemouth [TEAMtalk, 2 August].

It is becoming a worrying trend at Goodison Park that delays in decision-making are seeing other clubs get the first run at a player Everton want. Missing out on key targets means the club are forced to consider yet another new option.

Everton have moved for a striker and finally look like getting their man in Sporting forward Youssef Chermiti [Fabrizio Romano, 31 July], although they are still targeting further additions up top as they look to improve last season's second-lowest Premier League goal tally of 34.

This cannot continue to happen.

In other Everton news, an £8.7million price tag has been set in the Toffees' deal for an international midfielder.