Ipswich Town have moved ahead in the competitive race to sign Ajax forward Chuba Akpom, with a structured loan deal that could become permanent should they secure promotion to the Premier League, Footynaija.com reports.
The Tractor Boys have reportedly agreed terms with Ajax for a loan move that includes a £7 million obligation to buy if they reach the top flight.
According to Sky Football, Akpom began his medical with Ipswich on Monday evening as negotiations between the two clubs progressed rapidly.
Championship rivals Birmingham City, who were previously in the driving seat, are now scrambling to keep their hopes of signing the former Middlesbrough striker alive.
The Blues had also proposed a loan with a promotion-triggered buy clause but have now reopened talks with Ajax in pursuit of a permanent transfer.
Akpom was initially set to undergo a medical with Birmingham earlier in the day, but Ipswich’s swift intervention appears to have changed the trajectory of the deal.
Despite both offers being attractive in their own right, the decision is expected to come down to the 29-year-old striker’s preference.
Ipswich, newly promoted to the Championship, are aiming to bolster their squad with proven quality, and Akpom fits the bill.
The former Arsenal academy graduate has also been linked with Olympiakos and Middlesbrough this summer, but it appears Akpom will head to one of Ipswich or Birmingham.