'PL clubs could easily pay' - Ex-Ajax striker not ruling out Akpom's return to England for fee of N46b

Former Ajax Amsterdam striker Wim Kieft believes Chuba Akpom could return to England in the summer transfer window, approximately one year after his celebrated transfer to Ajax from Middlesbrough.

Akpom was courted by a plethora of English and foreign clubs after winning the Championship Golden Boot last season but ended up signing for the four-time European champions for a fee of 12.3 million euros.

The Hale End Academy product is keen on leaving Ajax due to his limited playing time, with Netherlands international Brian Brobbey ahead of him in the pecking order of center forwards.

Despite playing a bit part role for the Amsterdam club, he has continued to deliver the goods, scoring fifteen goals from thirty-four appearances, nine of which he started. 

Kieft has highlighted that Akpom is very attractive to clubs in the Premier League because he is a homegrown player having spent thirteen years at Arsenal before turning 21.

Premier League clubs are required to have a certain number of homegrown players under contract, making them willing to invest significantly in such players.

Writing in his column for De Telegraaf, Kieft admitted that he would not be surprised if wealthy Premier League clubs paid 30 million euros (approximately N46 billion) for Akpom.

"Because they know him in England from his adventures through numerous clubs in lower divisions, because he scores at Ajax and because he has English nationality. Capital-rich clubs from the Premier League could easily pay 30 million euros," he said. 

“It will be a difficult decision for Ajax: take money or make a sporting choice? You still like to keep Akpom around, if only because of Brian Brobbey's proven sensitivity to injuries."

Akpom attracted concrete interest from Premier League duo Nottingham Forest and Fulham in the January transfer window but Ajax blocked a potential return to England. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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