Chuba Akpom set to link up with Osayi-Samuel at Birmingham City

English Championship side Birmingham City and Ajax Amsterdam have reportedly reached an agreement for the transfer of Nigerian striker and Arsenal academy product Chuba Akpom.

The 29-year-old former Arsenal Academy star is expected to arrive to undergo a medical, with an official announcement imminent.

According to Voetbal International, the deal is structured as a loan for the 2025/2026 season, which will become a permanent transfer if Birmingham City secures promotion to the Premier League.

This move marks Akpom’s return to English football after two years overseas. Akpom will be the second Nigerian player to join Birmingham City this summer, following the signing of defender Bright Osayi-Samuel on a free transfer from Fenerbahçe.

Akpom, who is under contract with Ajax until 2028, has found it difficult to secure a consistent starting spot at the Dutch club despite a respectable scoring record of 23 goals in 68 appearances.

He spent the latter half of last season on loan at Lille in France. Ajax has deemed Akpom surplus to requirements due to his wages, and while they preferred a permanent sale, a loan with a conditional obligation to buy was the most feasible option.

This will be Akpom’s second spell in the Championship, where he has previously shown his quality. In the 2022-23 season, he won the Golden Boot with Middlesbrough, scoring 28 goals in 40 matches and earning a move to Ajax.

Birmingham City, newly promoted to the Championship, will be hoping Akpom can recapture that form and lead them to back-to-back promotions.