
This long, drawn-out winter transfer season has seen Sunderland connected to a wide range of strikers, with players like Emil Riis Jakobsen and Semih Kilicsoy rumoured to make a late move to the Stadium of Light.
However, as the dramatic drama of deadline day draws nearer, no such agreement has yet to materialise.
With a move possibly back on for this former Championship sharp shooter to return to England, Regis Le Bris will be hoping that a spectacular deal is finalised before this coming Monday’s deadline.
The most recent information on Sunderland’s striker hunt
Sunderland is still in the running to sign Ajax striker Chuba Akpom before the window closes, according to a report from the Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
Naturally, earlier rumours had stated that Akpom, who had previously excelled at neighbouring Middlesbrough before moving to Amsterdam for better opportunities, was not interested in the idea of moving to Wearside.
De Telegraaf said that Olympique de Marseille and Leicester City are also interested in acquiring Akpom on a short-term basis, suggesting that a loan deal between the two parties may well be in the cards.
Sunderland will only hope that the 29-year-old’s presence offers them some type of edge in the ongoing promotion chase near the top of the Championship, since the former Arsenal player is a machine when he previously dazzled at the level. This deal could turn permanent in the summer.
What Akpom might provide Sunderland
If Akpom’s previous season in the second division is any indication, Sunderland might win big time with the acquisition of the player instead of taking a chance on an unknown creature to the English game in Kilicsoy.
In fact, during the 2022–2023 season, the former Boro hero scored an incredible 28 league goals for Michael Carrick’s promotion-chasing team. Carrick later called Akpom a “terrific” talent and won the Championship Golden Boot as a result of his lethal performances at Riverside Stadium.
Kilicsoy has been just as prolific at the goal for Beskitas, scoring 11 goals in just 23 league games the previous season. However, he has struggled in his home country of Turkey this season, only managing one league goal in 19 appearances.
While Akpom has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, including four that were scored while he was a star in the Europa League, he has demonstrated his ability to score goals in spurts for the Dutch powerhouses, despite Ajax’s desire to let him go.
Given that Akpom only had eight second-tier goals during his career until turning into a clinical attacker at Boro, there would be some worry that his Golden Boot-winning campaign was a bit of a flashbulb moment.
However, surrounded by some of the best attacking players in the league, including Jobe Bellingham and Patrick Roberts, the 29-year-old will undoubtedly be eager to continue where he left off. He will also be able to provide Le Bris with a more seasoned mind away from the less experienced players in his squad.
earning Akpom’s desired signature could be the next best step for the Black Cats if they want to demonstrate that they are serious about earning promotion rather than merely participating. Kilicsoy, who is only 19 years old, joining the team would be more in line with Sunderland’s youthful and hungry mentality.