Ajax forward Chuba Akpom is travelling to Town for a medical, the Blues having agreed a season-long loan deal with the Dutch giants earlier this afternoon, gazumping Friday’s opponents Birmingham City, who were closing in on signing the 29-year-old.

Sky Sports News, which broke the news of the Blues’ late approach for the frontman earlier today, is now reporting that Akpom is on his way to the club to undergo a medical.

This afternoon, the Blues agreed a loan deal with the Amsterdam side which which includes an obligation to buy for £7 million should Town win promotion in the campaign ahead.

Ajax left the decision in the hands of the player, who had been set for a medical at Birmingham today, the Midlanders having previously agreed terms with the Eredivisie side. Akpom’s former club Boro and Greek side Olympiacos were also believed to have been interested in the one-time Arsenal trainee.

Newham-born Akpom came through the Gunners’ academy ranks and had spells on loan at Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton and in Belgium with Sint-Truiden while a player at the Emirates.

Having made one senior start and 11 sub appearances, the 6ft tall striker moved on to PAOK Salonika in Greece for £900,000 in August 2018.

After two years, he joined Boro for £2.75 million, returning to PAOK on loan for 2021/22, before joining Ajax for an initial €12.3 million (£10.7 million), rising to €14.3 million (£12.4 million) with add-ons.

He spent the second half of last season on loan in Ligue 1 in France with Lille, who chose not to take up an option to sign him permanently at the end of his spell.

An England cap at U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels, Akpom has scored 21 goals in 39 starts and 40 sub appearances for Ajax in all competitions and bagged three in six starts and nine games from the bench during his short spell with Lille. For the Teessiders, he netted 34 goals in 59 starts and 23 games from the bench.

Town are very much in the hunt for another striker - probably two - to compete with George Hirst, Liam Delap having moved to Chelsea at the end of last season for £30 million, while Akpom also operates as a number 10.

Photo: Stefan Koops - EYE4images via Reuters Connect

BlueMoolay added 20:04 - Aug 4 Akpom Akpom....Chuba Akpom, Nearly went to Brummie until our Tractor come along, Akpom Akpom.....Chuba Akpom, Chuba Akpom you can turn me on. (Sex bomb - Tom Jones) How about that Mickmillstash?
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Alberto_the_frog added 20:04 - Aug 4 If we got rid of transfer windows, we could sign an opponent's player or potential player before each match, just to offload them straight after...
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tetchris added 20:15 - Aug 4 Still think we need one more striker as well as this guy. Personally I would have like to have seen Kieffer Moore come back for a couple of seasons as he offers something different to the other strikers we have. There aren’t many target men type strikers around like him imho.
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Linkboy13 added 20:29 - Aug 4 He's a Londoner so this could swing the deal in our favour unless a London club comes in for him.
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Scuzzer added 20:57 - Aug 4 Looking at the reel he looks excellent at screening, retaining and winning the ball. Also uses the ball well in passing at the right time to bring in his forwards. Not particularly a number 9 but will bring a whole lot to the team. Looking good.
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JewellintheTown added 21:53 - Aug 4 Gonna be spicier than a hot Brummie curry on Friday now, assuming he signs!
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