Chuba Akpom is surplus to requirements at Ajax and has to leave the club this summer, and he appears to have admirers in Turkey
Turkish Super Lig club Samsunspor are considering a move for Nigerian attacker Chuba Akpom this summer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Akpom’s future is currently in the balance, as following the appointment of John Heitinga as Ajax coach, he was informed some weeks ago that he was surplus to requirements at the club via text message.
The 29-year-old attacker, who turns 30 in October, has been away from the team since and has not even featured in any of Ajax’s pre-season games.
Akpom has been linked with some English Premier League clubs this summer, but the talks have not materialized.
Recall that he spent the second half of last season on loan at Lille, but they refused to sign him permanently at the end of the campaign and are not looking at signing him.
Now, in a new development, per Fikreet Gul, Turkish Super Lig club Samsunspor are considering a move for Akpom.
The club finished third in the Super Lig last season, which means that they will participate in the Europa League qualifiers and have a good shot of playing in the competition itself.
A player like Akpom would give them a significant boost in attack, as he has experience playing continental football.
He has also played in different countries, so it would be a bit easier for him to adjust to Turkish football.
The Nigerian striker grew up in Arsenal’s academy. But he did not make it into the senior team and has gone on to play for clubs like Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton, St. Truiden, PAOK, Ajax, and Lille.
Akpom is valued at €7 million, per Transfermarkt. But since Ajax are desperate to sell him off, they might let him leave for a lower fee even though he has three more years left on his contract.
Has Chuba Akpom played for Nigeria’s Super Eagles?
Chuba Akpom has never played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He was born to Nigerian parents in England and represented the latter at youth level.
However, he has since switched to Nigeria. But he has not received a Super Eagles call-up yet.
Perhaps, the Samsunspor transfer will help him get a lot more traction and a place in the Super Eagles.