Birmingham City are in advanced negotiations to bring Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom back to English football on loan from Ajax but face a late challenge from former club Middlesbrough to snatch the deal, footynaija.com reports.
Akpom, 29, is set to return to the Championship just two years after departing Middlesbrough in a €12 million move to the Netherlands.
His time at Ajax, however, has been far from successful, with the striker struggling for consistency and game time. He has registered just seven goals across 32 appearances in all competitions for the Dutch giants, often used as a second-half substitute.
Birmingham are closing in on a deal to sign Ajax striker Chuba Akpom on a season-long loan deal, with an obligation to buy if Birmingham are promoted to the Premier League this season pic.twitter.com/Tp5dSGYQmW
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 3, 2025
The Blues have agreed terms with Ajax over a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent, a clause that will be triggered if Birmingham secure promotion to the Premier League. They will also pay a loan fee and contribute significantly to the forward’s wages.
Akpom has already left Amsterdam and is en route to England to undergo medical checks and finalise personal terms.
However, Dutch sources indicate that Middlesbrough, who sold him to Ajax in 2023, have reignited interest and are in contact with the Dutch side in a dramatic attempt to hijack the deal.
Ajax had hoped to offload Akpom permanently, but amid limited interest from top-flight clubs across Europe, they have opted for a temporary move to ease the financial burden of his substantial wages. Akpom’s contract runs until 2028, but he no longer features in Ajax’s plans.
Despite disappointing spells at Ajax and on loan at Lille, where he managed only three goals in 16 appearances, Akpom remains highly regarded in England’s second tier.
Middlesbrough are attempting to hijack Chuba Akpom’s move from Ajax to Birmingham City pic.twitter.com/ysECvFodLU
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 3, 2025
He won the Championship Golden Boot in 2022/23 with 28 goals for Middlesbrough, earning him a place in the Team of the Season and sparking his move to Ajax.
Birmingham were recently promoted back to the Championship and see Akpom as a key figure in their push for top-flight football.
Born in London and developed at Arsenal, Akpom represented England at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria.