Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says he’s ‘relaxed’ abut Chuba Akpom’s future at the club, as speculation regarding his future persists.
Akpom remains in transfer headlines following his standout 2022/23 season in the Championship. His 28-goal haul in the Championship lifted Boro to the play-off places and earned himself the league’s Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards.
He’s now in the final year of his contract at the Riverside, though. The Northern Echo say that Middlesbrough have been in negotiations over a possible renewal but no new contract is yet to be agreed upon.
And Akpom’s situation continues to alert Premier League teams with Sheffield United the latest to show an interest in the ex-Arsenal man.
But speaking out on Akpom’s situation, Carrick told The Northern Echo:
“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 got a contract with us. Sometimes when you get into this situation I think everyone can get carried away both ways, but, ultimately, he’s got a contract with the club, we’ve got a great relationship and he’s done great things for me and certainly for the club. So I’m relaxed about it.
“Yeah, we’re trying to have an eye on the future and what that looks like. But my focus is more on getting him back in and around the group and being a part of it, getting him fit where he’s able to perform and play for us.”
What next?
Akpom remains a Boro player, as Carrick says, and with the start of the new season now upon us, Akpom and Carrick will be fully focussed on that.
And if the striker can make a good start and score a few goals then it could prompt the likes of Sheffield United or any other interested side to make a bid.
With Akpom out of contract at the end of the season, it could make sense for Boro to accept any incoming offer, but the club might yet be willing to take a loss in order to keep Akpom at the club for this seasons promotion push.
It’s a very tricky one to wiegh up, but expect all of Boro’s focus to be on their season opener v Millwall this weekend.
