French Ligue 1 side Lens have submitted an £8 million bid to Middlesbrough for striker Chuba Akpom as they hope to see him replace Frenchman Lois Openda who joined German side RB Leipzig this summer.
According to Sky Sports News, Middlesbrough are said to value the striker who won the Championship Golden Boot award last season after scoring 28 league goals at around £15m, and won’t sell until a replacement is lined up.
Akpom has just one year left on his contract and according to sources close to the player, he is unlikely to extend his deal at the club which would most likely force them to either sell him now or risk him leaving for free next season.
The former Arsenal youth player had previously established his intention to leave when offers came in from Premier League clubs for his services but none were concrete enough to get to a bidding stage.
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Lens will be hoping to acquire the services of the England-born striker who is eligible to represent Nigeria after seemingly losing out on another Nigerian talent Gift Orban who is on the radar of Tottenham, Barcelona, and Lille.
Aside from winning the Championship Golden Boits last season, Akpom was also named the championship Player of The Season after his stellar performance that almost returned Boro to the top flight.
Aside from Lens, Premier League side Sheffield United are interested in the player as well as an unnamed European club.
