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Birmingham are facing another hijack attempt as they look to sign former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom, talk SPORT understands. Three Championship clubs are interested in the 29-year-old who currently plies his trade with Ajax. Akpom will leave Ajax after he was reportedly banished from first-team training earlier this summer. It followed a loan spell at French side Lille during the second half of last season. Birmingham have already agreed a season-long loan deal with Ajax for Akpom. Their deal includes an obligation to buy the 29-year-old if they are promoted to the Premier League. Boro failed in their attempt to hijack the deal, but now Ipswich have made a late attempt to sign the striker. A medical was scheduled to take place on Monday, however that is now in doubt. Newly-promoted Birmingham have already spent over £9million on ten new signings. London-born Akpom began his career with Arsenal, making 12 senior appearances for them. Akpom's move to Middlesbrough came in 2020 after a two-year spell with Greek side PAOK. Akpom spent three years with Boro prior to moving to the Netherlands in 2023. During that time, he scored 34 goals in 82 appearances across all competitions. The former England under-21 international also won the Championship Golden Boot during the 2022/23 campaign. New Boro boss Rob Edwards told BBC Radio Tees this week: "We've got to make the supporters believe again. "If we're all driving this thing together, it helps, but I know this is on us. We need to show a level of performance and win enough games to get their backing. "I want us to be aggressive, attack quickly, have a right go, leave it all out there. "That is the message we are getting across to the lads every day. But that's all I've ever wanted from any of my teams. " Defender Alfie Jones has signed from Hull along with midfielder Abdoulaye Kante, who arrived from French side Troyes. Boro begin the new campaign at home to Swansea on Saturday. Meanwhile, their first meeting with Birmingham this term will take place at the Riverside in November. Birmingham kick off their season back in the Championship when they entertain Ipswich Town on Friday night, live on talk SPORT. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited
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