Everton ‘facing competition’ from Bundesliga duo’ in race to sign 21-goal Championship striker

Everton will reportedly make their move for Chuba Akpom this summer, having been linked with the Middlesbrough striker during the January transfer window.

The Blues were left scrambling for attacking players two months ago but failed to get any deals over the line, leaving Sean Dyche to utilise his current options available at the club.

Akpom was among the individuals suggested as a potential option, though a move failed to materialise for the former Arsenal youngster. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a season to remember in the second tier, helping Boro into play-off contention by scoring 21 times in 28 league appearances and is set to be in demand at the end of the season.

A latest report by allnigeriasoccer has stated Bundesliga duo Borussia Monchengladbach and Werder Bremen have joined the race to recruit the Championship top scorer, which will see them face competition from Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign, Middlesbrough recently exercised a 12-month extension to keep Akpom at the Riverside Stadium in a major boost to manager Michael Carrick. Offering an update on the player’s situation at the club, Carrick said: “Sitting here, no there is nothing to update on right now. Listen, Chuba is obviously doing great for us and it’s something we are looking at between now and the end of the season. Not just Chuba but contracts for players moving ahead into the summer and next season. Individually though, there is no update to give you on Chuba.

“It depends [on conversations]. I have a lot of conversations with players in different ways. There are plenty of things we have to sort out and organise to be ready for games. As and when, we’ll get things sorted.”