Town are one of a number of Championship clubs understood to be showing interest in 19-year-old Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom with Norwich and Nottingham Forest believed to be leading the chase.

Akpom held talks with the Canaries at the weekend when they beat Forest 3-1 at Carrow Road, but leaders Bournemouth, Derby, Wigan Athletic, Fulham and Town are also said to be showing interest.

According to The Independent, the striker, who is currently with the England U20 squad, will make a decision on his destination based on his chances of playing regular first team football. Football League clubs have until Thursday to sign players on 93-day emergency loans

Town already have strikers Chris Wood - who Forest manager Dougie Freedman has revealed he was also keen to sign - and Luke Varney on loan, in addition to Daryl Murphy, Freddie Sears, David McGoldrick and Noel Hunt.

Hunt is all but ruled out for the season with a knee injury, while McGoldrick has been sidelined with a thigh problem but is expected to return after the international break.

Even if McGoldrick’s absence is extended further, Akpom would be unlikely to go straight into the first team at Town and would probably see himself playing more regularly elsewhere.

Canning Town-born Akpom, who has been dubbed the new Thierry Henry, has made nine sub appearances for the Gunners and spent time out on loan in League One with Brentford and Coventry last season.

Photo: Action Images

bellazzurri79 added 12:14 - Mar 24 Get him in!
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MaySixth added 12:16 - Mar 24 We rather have a pacy winger or creative midfielder.
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MrBloo added 12:20 - Mar 24 Maysixth, we have three pacey wingers already. What's the point of signing another one who won't get a game?
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IndianTractorBoy added 12:21 - Mar 24 No more strikers please. We got enough and they have been doing pretty good. IMHO, We need a creative mid.
8

Tractamatt added 12:30 - Mar 24 What happened to the Wigan player we were linked with. I think that was more likely but it's all gone quiet and what's happening with Williams?
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MrBloo added 12:35 - Mar 24 The new Theirry Henry eh? other clubs chasing him. I love the comment that he wouldn't go straight into the team here. No, we have Varney and Wood ahead of him. I don't think he'll bother coming, do you?
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BYRNE_16 added 12:41 - Mar 24 mr loverman "Chuba"
3

riley26 added 13:15 - Mar 24 I was scouring through the Premier League squads yesterday, bearing in mind that Mr.Evans had suggested a loan signing could be made assuming we were still in the top six shake up heading into the international break. Noticed Akpom and Gnabry from Arsenal, the latter coming back from injury, might be surplus to requirements there with the season drawing to a close, could give us an extra option out wide. Elsewhere Jonny Williams is back up and running, let's get him back!

4

Michael11 added 13:32 - Mar 24 He'd be a great signing. I said to my Arsenal fan mate that I'd like us to sign him when he played in the league cup for them. Hope he doesn't join the scum!
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Garv added 13:38 - Mar 24 Would be a welcome addition, but I reckon he would feel he has more chance of playing at one of the other clubs. However, Varney and Wood still have to prove themselves, so adding another good striker can only be a good thing. If he's the next Henry I'm assuming he's a bit pacy?
1

parkinshair added 14:08 - Mar 24 Clearly rated highly but really think we have enough options in that department. Murphy and Sears should certainly be first choice but Varney has proved to be a decent signing plus we have Wood and the supposed return of McGoldrick ambling about during warm ups. Considering how short of options there are in defence I would have thought that should be more of a priority.

1

bluefeast added 14:23 - Mar 24 Classic , if he wants first team football go to Forrest who have the least chance of a play off place
1

irishtim added 14:26 - Mar 24 Somehow doubt if this will happen. Think if Williams is fully fit then that will be the signing. Then again I could be totally wrong.
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jas0999 added 14:48 - Mar 24 Essential we sign a pacey winger and / or a goal scoring more attacking central midfield player. A Williams type player is what we need, but even if fit, I don't think we can sign him as would had to have been in January on a half season loan, as we already technically signed him on an emergency. Could be wrong.
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Superblue95 added 15:13 - Mar 24 Blue feast I think Wigan and Fulham have slightly less off a chance regarding the play offs don't you? Agree with many that a striker isn't really needed and that if we were going to sign another player it should be a midfielder/winger
1

runningout added 15:25 - Mar 24 Forwards we have are all to similar, with only one scoring... Younger quicker striker would be worth bringing in.. Can see this one going elsewhere though... Everton forward Atpo maybe a good option
0

runningout added 15:27 - Mar 24 meant 'Atsu'
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Michael11 added 16:14 - Mar 24 @runningout I believe Atsu is on loan to Everton from Chelsea isn't he? A player of that mould is certainly what we need though.
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MattinLondon added 16:38 - Mar 24 Would rather we look at our own youngsters first before knocking on the PL door.
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bluesince84 added 17:09 - Mar 24 Yeh think im reflecting what is here, we dont need another striker, but considering our existing loan strikers havent scored a goal perhaps he could come in earlier than he thinks. I woul say use the money on a midfielder , Joniesta. all we need is a couple of good performances from him.
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blues1 added 17:16 - Mar 24 cant see this happening as 1, he wouldn't get in the starting line-up as of now, and 2 we don't need another striker. irishtim and tractamatt. when are people gonna stop going on about jonny Williams. even if we wanted to sign him we cant, as you cannot sign a player on an emergency loan twice in a season. how many times does this have to be pointed out on here by me, and others. besides, hes still not fit even if we could sign him.

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WorcesterBlue added 17:37 - Mar 24 Don't think we need another striker (May be wrong) do think we need some pace and power in midfield and defensive cover. Question - Williams is no doubt a quality player on the ball. But what is our win ratio with and without him? You might be surprised. Though different, don't Bru and Bishop provide the creativity (or would if they had a more solid presence (Hyam?) behind them? Just thoughts.....

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irishtim added 17:38 - Mar 24 bLUES1 are sure? Phil correct this please. He was not signed on emergency loan? Would love clarification.
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brendanh added 18:22 - Mar 24 He's never scored a single senior goal in 14 appearances. One for the future perhaps, but not one for an impact on our current Championship promotion battle.
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Samassi100Abou added 22:04 - Mar 24 Let's be honest arsenal will want him to go to a team who play attractive football, would of thought Bournemouth are the most similar club to that from the championship, what's he going to do when chambers gets the ball ping ping ping ping ping feed off scraps li
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