‘Feel at home’: 28-goal Everton target admits he now ‘wants to stay’ where he is, amid reports Dyche is keen
Everton have been linked with a move for Chuba Akpom this summer.
Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom has been targeted by Everton in this transfer window. However, the player seems to have his heart set on sticking with the Championship side.
Akpom is currently locked in contract talks with Boro, and his future remains unclear. However, the forward has been clear that his own preference is to remain at the Riverside Stadium. He said, “I’ve made it clear that I feel at home here, so I think me saying that shows that I would love to stay,” as quoted by The Northern Echo.
Akpom is certainly a popular figure at Boro. The 27-year-old was in scintillating form last season, registering 28 goals across the course of the Championship campaign, winning the division’s Golden Boot award in the process. His previous best return in a league campaign came with PAOK in Greece, when he netted 8 times in the 2019/20 season.
He may be a late bloomer, and if Akpom can maintain his current form then he will establish himself as one of the finest goal-scorers in the second tier.
As Everton are in desperate need of a reliable finisher themselves, it will come as a blow to Sean Dyche to hear Akpom speaking out about wanting to stay at Middlesbrough.
Why Everton need Akpom
With Neal Maupay lacking goals, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also struggling for form and fitness, Dyche must address the Toffees’ lack of cutting edge this summer. Arnaut Danjuma alone isn’t enough, and targeted forward Youssef Chermiti is young and unproven at the highest level.
Akpom looks ready to make the step up to the Premier League. Despite the player’s latest announcement, Everton should still push to bring him to Goodison Park this summer. He would be a huge boost to their attacking contingent, and would arrive on Merseyside full of confidence and ready to prove his worth in the top flight.
However, the Toffees must act fast if they are to get a deal done, before Boro finalise new terms with Akpom themselves.