OPINION
Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom is reportedly set to leave the Gunners permanently this summer with Leeds and Celtic at the front of the queue for his signature.
The Daily Mirror claims the 21-year-old striker is on a list of targets at Elland Road after Chris Wood sealed his move to Premier League Burnley.
It is said that Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are also interested in the four-time England Under-21 international, as he looks to provide Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele with competition up front.
Akpom has struggled to earn any kind of regular first-team chance under Arsene Wenger, with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and Lucas Perez all ahead of him in the pecking order.
The youngster has made 78 career appearances in professional football, but only ten of those have come with the north London giants after loan spells with the likes of Hull, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
This Is Futbol analyses whether Akpom would be a good signing at Elland Road, and if the Whites are able to secure a deal to sign Arsenal’s number 32.
Good move for Leeds?
Thomas Christiansen desperately needs a striker with just over a week remaining in the transfer window, as Wood looks set to depart the Yorkshire club before the deadline strikes on September 1.
Akpom is a different striker to Wood, in that he is more renowned for his pace in the final third, which also allows him to have an impact from the flanks if needed out wide.
With two years remaining on his contract, Arsenal are able to charge what they want for the striker, who is not renowned for his goalscoring record in the Championship.
Just three goals in 52 appearances in England’s second tier should see Christiansen avoid signing the striker, but a permanent move away from Arsenal could be just what he needs to find his goalscoring touch.
This Is Futbol rating: 4/10.
Likely to happen?
With the lure of Champions League football at Celtic, Leeds face a difficult task in convincing Akpom that he should move to Yorkshire instead of joining the 48-time Scottish champions.
However, the promise of first-team football at Elland Road could convince the Arsenal academy product that a move to Leeds would prove more beneficial.
Leeds will be able to afford the striker, as they look set to receive a huge £15million for Wood’s services, but it still remains to be seen how much Arsenal will charge for his services.
Akpom is looking to leave permanently and if Leeds can secure his services for less than £5million, then they will be securing a good deal.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.