Ajax forward Chuba Akpom remains intent on joining Town on a season-long loan, despite Birmingham City’s late attempt to sign him on a permanent basis, TWTD understands.

The 29-year-old was at the club yesterday to undergo a medical, the Blues having matched the Midlanders’ loan offer, which includes an obligation to sign on a permanent basis on promotion next summer for £7 million.

Last night it emerged that Birmingham, who Town face in their Championship opener at St Andrew’s on Friday, had made a last-gasp approach to the Eredivisie giants to sign Akpom on a permanent basis.

However, we understand the player remains committed to joining Town on loan for the season and Birmingham's Hail Mary bid seems unlikely to be a success.

Akpom’s former club Middlesbrough and Greek side Olympiacos also showed interest.

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.

Akpom could be one of two signings at Town today with Jens Cajuste due at the club to undergo a medical ahead of his return for a second season on loan from Napoli.

Photo: Stefan Koops - EYE4images via Reuters Connect

TedTurnip added 10:35 - Aug 5 Is it too early in the season to say Friday is a ‘must win’?
8

JonDouglas4Ballondor added 10:35 - Aug 5 Get in!
2

Mariner1974 added 10:39 - Aug 5 A man of impeccable taste
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BlueBoots added 10:42 - Aug 5 "Birmingham's Hail Mary bid" Quality sly dig by our Phil :^D
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ThatMuhrenCross added 10:50 - Aug 5 Announce Akpom debut goal at a sneering St Andrews!!
4

blues1 added 10:51 - Aug 5 Ted turnip. The fact you've even asked that is ridiculous.
9

TownSupporter added 10:52 - Aug 5 Safest bet to get to the Premiership faster.
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flykickingbybgunn added 10:55 - Aug 5 Good news. Will be happier when both Cajuste and Akpom have actually signed the paper. Starting to look good now.
2

atty added 10:56 - Aug 5 We have obviously done the investigation on this guy, so why not buy if that is what it takes. We do seem to be struggling but there again we are in a very different position this season.
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jas0999 added 11:05 - Aug 5 I think I’d be concerned if he felt Birmingham were a better option!
3

Monkey_Blue added 11:11 - Aug 5 Let’s be honest when we went up fans didn’t hate us. The vibe is that no one except Birmingham fans want to see them succeed. This will just fuel our support on Friday night from the neutrals.
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poet added 11:14 - Aug 5 I’ve watched the video. This lad has qualities. He’s decisive, very strong, brave, quick and he knows where the goal is. I very much hope he signs on that dotted line.
1

Rozeeboy74 added 11:18 - Aug 5 Looks like Ajax want rid (rather than player development) with the "obligation" to sign. Can't say he is prolific but the clip reel shows he's strong with his back to goal. I expect Chappers and Cajuste (please!!!) to get plenty of goals from his hold up play.
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italianotractor added 11:18 - Aug 5 That's Broadhead gone then, which is a shame
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DocMartyn added 11:20 - Aug 5 Speaking as someone who was once chinned outside St Andrew's on the first day of the season, this would give me an extra frisson.....
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FreddySteady added 11:22 - Aug 5 St Andrews is the only ground I’ve been scared at in my adult life.
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WestSussexBlue added 11:40 - Aug 5 Ted Turnip….”Friday is a Must Win” ? Why, does the season end on Saturday?
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Blue_75 added 11:42 - Aug 5 Surely if Ajax decide they’d prefer a permanent deal, we’ll just buy him?
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blues1 added 11:43 - Aug 5 Italianotractor. How do you work that out? Akpom is a cf, broadhead an attacking midfielder. And with omari likely to go, and philogene injured, dont see the club allowing him to leave, just yet anyway.
2

Linkboy13 added 11:51 - Aug 5 I would have been very disappointed if we had got Mc Burnie or Moore both have mediocre goal scoring records. This guy is obviously a step above in every department of his game. Will McKenna play him in a number ten role with Hirst up front which will be very disappointing for Smzodic's. I think the Birmingham game has probably came a bit too soon and he will need more time on the training ground so will start off on the bench. Then it's up to Hirst and Smzodic's to do the business. Mind you he hasn't signed yet so this might be just pie in the sky COYB.

1

mickcosh added 12:09 - Aug 5 He most probably took one looked at the state of Birmingham City and thought better not go there ?
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:33 - Aug 5 Atta boy,
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timbousa added 12:52 - Aug 5 Another deflating experience for Tom Brady
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blueboy1981 added 13:07 - Aug 5 Get it DONE then …!!! - why are these things so difficult for this Club ?
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Bazza8564 added 13:37 - Aug 5 Good to see the lad chose us over others. With Jens coming too, that probably only leaves us a third striker and another CMF to have the ideal squad. No doubt 3-4 will leave but we the basis of what we need
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