Michael Carrick, the coach at Middlesbrough, has expressed his calm demeanor regarding Chuba Akpom’s current situation at the club, emphasizing that his main focus is on the forward’s fitness rather than his future.
Chuba Akpom had an outstanding performance last season, scoring 29 goals and receiving accolades such as the Championship Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards. Consequently, there has been significant speculation about his future at Boro during this summer transfer window. With only a year left on his contract, the club faces the risk of potentially losing him for nothing if an extension cannot be agreed upon.
Boro is currently in negotiations with Akpom and his representatives to secure a contract extension for the 27-year-old player. While Akpom himself has expressed his desire to stay, no official agreement has been reached between the parties yet, with certain factors remaining beyond his control.
Although Boro has not received any formal offers during this transfer window, Premier League clubs have reportedly shown significant interest. According to Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Sheffield United is among the clubs considering a move for Akpom, with a speculated fee of £8 million. This offer falls below Boro’s earlier valuation of the player when they aimed to deter potential suitors.
Asked about the ongoing saga and his sentiments, Carrick affirmed, “He’s our player Chuba, and I’m relaxed about that. I had a good chat with him this morning, and I’m relaxed. He’s under contract with us.”
Carrick also emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective in such situations and acknowledged the positive contributions Akpom has made to the club. While acknowledging the need to consider the future, Carrick’s primary concern is to have Akpom fully fit and ready to contribute to the team’s performance.
The situation remains dynamic as both the club and Akpom contemplate the best course of action moving forward. For now, Carrick maintains confidence in the player and looks forward to having him return to the team, supporting his role in Boro’s continued success.