The race to sign Ajax striker Chuba Akpom has taken another dramatic twist, with Ipswich Town and Birmingham City locked in a transfer battle for the 29-year-old, Bold Sports reports.
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Ipswich Town have emerged as frontrunners after agreeing a loan deal with Ajax that includes an obligation to buy for £7 million — triggered if the club secures promotion to the Premier League. Akpom has already reportedly started undergoing a medical with the Tractor Boys on Monday night as talks progressed.
However, Birmingham City are refusing to back down. The Championship side, who initially looked set to complete a loan move for Akpom with similar promotion-based terms, have now reopened negotiations with Ajax — this time aiming for a permanent transfer.
Akpom had been due to undergo a medical with Birmingham earlier in the day, but Ipswich’s swift move has disrupted those plans. The Blues remain determined to land the striker and are hopeful that their push for a permanent deal could sway both Ajax and the player.
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Despite both clubs presenting competitive offers, the final decision is expected to rest with Akpom himself. As things stand, Ipswich appear to hold the edge, but the situation remains fluid.
The former Middlesbrough striker is attracting interest from multiple clubs, with Olympiakos also previously linked, but it’s Ipswich and Birmingham who have taken centre stage in what is shaping up to be one of the Championship’s most intriguing transfer battles of the summer.
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