Speculation had been rife throughout the summer regarding the future of the 27-year-old, on the back of a sensational 2022-23 campaign which saw him top the Championship scoring charts with 29 goals in all competitions and win the division’s player of the year and golden boot award.
Entering the final year of his deal, Akpom was linked with several clubs including Sheffield United and RC Lens as his Boro future remained unresolved
Ajax have now made the decisive move for the Londoner, who had a spell earlier in his career on loan in Yorkshire at Hull City.
To help fill the gap ahead of his impending move, Boro lined up Atalanta striker Emmanuel Latte Lath and his switch was completed on Tuesday, with left-back Lukas Engel also joining the club
Ivory Coast forward Lath has arrived for a reported €5m fee, with Danish defender Engel arriving for Danish Superliga side Silkeborg for €2m. Both are in contention to make their debuts in Saturday’s home game with Huddersfield Town.
On leaving Boro, Akpom said: “I’d like to thank everyone connected with Boro and especially a big thanks to the fans for the support and love they have given me.
“Last season was full of memories I’ll never forget and I will be forever proud. Everyone knows what I think of Michael Carrick, and I’m sure success is just around the corner.
“For me now, I have an exciting new challenge with one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I can’t wait to get started with Ajax.
“I’ll still be following the Boro from afar and wish everyone connected with the club all the very best for the future
REAL MORE:
The Rams have until the end of the transfer window on 1st September to conclude any incoming or outgoing transfer business. They are facing a battle to keep hold of midfielder Max Bird amid interest from ambitious Hull City in the Championship.
In a latest update by HullLive, the Tigers are hoping to strike a deal to land him after seeing their first two bids rejected and the player is understood to be ‘keen’ on the move to the MKM Stadium. He has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Pride Park and the club risk losing him for free if they don’t cash in now or in January, assuming he doesn’t pen a contract extension.
Derby are eyeing more attacking reinforcements and have been linked with a swoop for Birmingham City striker Sam Cosgrove along with fellow third tier clubs Blackpool, Charlton Athletic and Barnsley. He spent last term on loan at Plymouth Argyle and helped them gain promotion under Steven Schumacher and chipped in with 12 goals in all competitions.
According to reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon page, Paul Warne’s side are keen on landing him but face competition. The former Aberdeen man has also spent time away from the Blues at AFC Wimbledon and Shrewsbury Town over recent years.
Elsewhere, James Chester has been offered a contract by Barrow following his exit from Derby earlier this summer, as per a report by DerbyshireLive. The experienced defender is a free agent and will be weighing up his next move in the game.
The Bluebirds play their football in League Two and could see the former Manchester United man as someone to bolster their defensive department
