The Ajax man could finally put an end to his torrid time in the Netherlands with a move to France
Former Arsenal man Chuba Akpom may be on the move from Ajax to Ligue 1 side Lille OSC during the January transfer window.
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This potential move has sparked excitement among Super Eagles fans, who hope Akpom can emulate the success of Victor Osimhen, another Nigerian striker who thrived with Lille before moving to Napoli.
Lille lead the race for Akpom
Lille have emerged as the frontrunners to secure Akpom's signature. The French club is reportedly close to agreeing on a loan deal with an option to buy the former Arsenal academy product.
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The move makes sense for Lille, as they are looking to strengthen their attacking options both currently and at the end of the season.
With Mohamed Bayo potentially departing and Jonathan David's contract expiring in six months, Akpom could provide valuable support and potentially become a key player for the club next season.
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Since joining Ajax in 2023, Akpom has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to secure a regular starting position, so a move to Lille could be the way out for the Nigerian striker.
Competition from Sunderland and other clubs
The English club is keen to bolster its attack as it aims for promotion to the Premier League and Akpom's impressive track record in the Championship, where he scored 28 goals in 40 appearances for Middlesbrough last season, makes him an attractive option for Sunderland.
In addition to Sunderland, Lille also face competition from fellow Ligue 1 side RC Lens, who have also shown interest in Akpom.
Despite scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 31 appearances this season, Akpom has started just 15 matches for Ajax, and this lack of consistent playing time could push him out of the Dutch club.