Liverpool are looking to steal Arsenala s young striker Chuba Akpom, after reports that he is hesitating to renew his contract with Arsenal.
19 year old Akpom has a long line at Arsenal if he has to make it to the first team, with Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott all in front of him. With rumours abounding that Arsene Wenger may be looking at Edinson Cavani to add to the forward line. If that does happen, then it is definitely curtains for Akpom.
However, Arsenal are keen to not let go of their young starlet, and have already offered a 3 year contract to keep him at the club. But seeing the competition he faces, Akpom has not yet signed the contract, and with only 6 months remaining in his present one, there are already vultures circling around this deadlock.
Germanya s Borussia Dortmund and Hollanda s Twente have already offered him pre-contract terms while Manchester City have expressed interest in the youngster. Now Liverpool are looking to make a shock swoop for Akpom with a promise for first team action.
Liverpool themselves are not in a great position when it comes to their forward line and have been especially struggling since the departure of Luis Suarez, and a promising youngster with something to prove would be a very good addition to the squad. Being an Englishman and under 21 would also offer additional advantages to the Liverpool squad, as they would not have to worry about him taking up a spot in the 25 man squad for the next 2 seasons at least.
However, Arsene Wenger would be in no mood to let go of the youngster, especially since his squad is always having injury problems, with Theo Walcott only returning now after a lengthy layoff and Danny Welbeck out injured too. Giroud had also suffered an injury this season and it has been a roller coaster ride for the manager to manage his resources. Akpom is certainly very talented and also had 4 appearances this season, and Wenger is certainly keen to continue having him at the club.
Akpom has had 2 loan spells, one at Brentford and the other at Coventry City, but both spells were short and he did not have many chances to showcase his skills. Perhaps that is one of the reasons he may be looking for a way out of the club where he has been since the age of 6. If the transfer does happen, then it would be sad to see another potential youngster leave Arsenal for greener pastures.