adminChuba Akpom Set to Join Ipswich Town Amid Interest from Championship Rivals
Chuba Akpom has attracted interest from three different Championship clubs during the current transfer window, with Ipswich Town and Birmingham City among those keen to secure his signature.
Birmingham City were pushing to bring Akpom in on loan, with the intention of making the move permanent should Chris Davies’ revamped side achieve promotion to the Premier League. Middlesbrough also entered the race, with manager Rob Edwards eager to bring the versatile striker back to the Riverside, where Akpom had a standout 29-goal campaign under Michael Carrick in the 2022/23 season.
Ipswich Town then emerged as serious contenders, viewing Akpom as a potential solution to their striking needs following Liam Delap’s departure. The Tractor Boys ultimately won the battle for his signature, edging out Birmingham just ahead of the Championship’s opening match between the two sides on Friday — a clash between two of the promotion favourites.
Should the deal be completed in time, Akpom could make his debut for Ipswich against the very side he turned down. Both clubs had agreed on similar terms with Ajax, leaving Akpom with a key decision to make.
Birmingham already boast attacking options such as Jay Stansfield, Lyndon Dykes, and new signing Kyogo Furuhashi. Ipswich, meanwhile, have attacking midfielders like Sammie Szmodics and Conor Chaplin, but strikers George Hirst and Ali Al-Hamadi lack significant Championship experience and a consistent goal-scoring record — factors that may have influenced Akpom’s decision.
According to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, Akpom is now en route to Suffolk for a medical, poised to become Ipswich’s fifth signing of the summer.
Ipswich Move Closer to Signing Jens Cajuste
Ipswich’s recruitment drive doesn’t stop there. The club is closing in on a sixth addition, with midfielder Jens Cajuste set to return to the club following a previous loan spell during their 2024/25 relegation campaign.
Cajuste is expected to join on a paid loan from Serie A side Napoli for €1 million, with a mandatory €6.5 million purchase clause triggered if Ipswich secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League. That would see Cajuste sign a three-year contract.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the deal is already finalized. Cajuste is expected to arrive in England tonight, with a medical scheduled for tomorrow morning. He is likely to form a midfield partnership with fellow new arrival Azor Matusiwa.
If completed, Cajuste will join Cedric Kipre, Ashley Young, David Button, Akpom, and Matusiwa as part of Ipswich’s summer overhaul.
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