In a sensational turn of events, Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom has hit back at claims that the club are being priced out of a new contract.
BBC Tees Sport broadcaster Mark Drury said during the Red Alert podcast, that “he has been told” that last year’s Championship top scorer and his agent were “requesting numbers that were way, way beyond what the club could or would pay.”
During the podcast he also added, “So, that does make you wonder, ‘does he really want to stay?”
Akpom, who has never expressed a desire to leave, responded almost immediately, rubbishing the claims via his own personal twitter page.
It comes as the front man who hit 29 goals last season has endured a spell on the sidelines through injury, fuelling speculation of a move away from The Riverside during the current transfer window.
It will not come as a huge shock to fans, who will have braced themselves for clubs to test the resolve of the club at some point.
However, the contract negotiations had not made many headlines. The response given though will undoubtedly offer Middlesbrough fans hope that the club’s talisman is happy to stay.
Transfer speculation is always rife this time of year, and with the deadline into its final few weeks, you feel the saga may well continue. Agents will always want the best deal possible for their client, and clubs will want to ensure they are protecting their own interests.
The difficulty faced by Boro, is that Akpom, a hugely influential member of the squad, only has one year remaining on his contract. If they do not sell him, or indeed agree on a new contract extension, they face losing him next summer for nothing.
With Cameron Archer returning to parent club Aston Villa, Boro already face starting the season without a recognised number nine. If they were to lose a player of Chuba Akpom’s ability during August as well, it could spell disaster for the club’s promotion aspirations.
Players do not have to respond to transfer murmurings on social media, so the fact that Akpom has felt the need to respond shows his passion.
It also shows his respect for the fans in the area, which will only endear him even more to the Boro faithful.
The situation between club and player will be monitored closely and only those involved will fully know the intentions from both sides moving forward.
Michael Carrick has reiterated that he would like to hold on to Chuba, and the overriding feeling from fans on Teesside is that they would like their rejuvenated leading man to stick around.
They will surely need him for another tilt at promotion to the Premier League.