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Turkish Club Samsunspor Shows Interest in Ajax Striker Chuba Akpom
Turkish football club Samsunspor has reportedly expressed interest in Ajax striker Chuba Akpom, signaling a potential move for the English-born Nigerian forward after a challenging period at the Amsterdam-based club. The news comes as Akpom faces uncertainty regarding his future at Ajax following a turbulent tenure.
Akpom recently returned to Ajax after a loan spell with Lille, but he has been excluded from the team’s plans. The 29-year-old was among six players informed that they are no longer part of the club’s long-term vision. This message, reportedly sent via WhatsApp by Ajax technical director Alex Kroes, was followed by restrictions on training access and support staff interactions.
According to reports, Samsunspor has identified Akpom as a potential target to strengthen their attacking options. The Turkish side, which secured a spot in the Europa League play-off round last season, sees the former Middlesbrough striker as a valuable addition to their European ambitions.
“Samsunspor is interested in Ajax’s forward player Chuba Akpom,” a statement from VTR Spor noted. However, it remains unclear whether the club is pursuing a loan deal or a permanent transfer. If Samsunspor opts for a permanent move, they would need to pay approximately €7 million.
Akpom’s situation has remained unresolved since his return from France. Despite Ajax successfully offloading other players from the out-of-favour group, including Borna Sosa, Kristian Hlynsson, Jakov Medic, and Christian Rasmussen, there has been little interest in Akpom until now.
A previous report suggested that his former club PAOK might be considering a return, but no agreement materialized. Since then, Akpom has remained in Amsterdam without participating in pre-season preparations. His market value has reportedly dropped significantly, with an estimated current worth of €6.6 million, down from the €12.3 million Ajax paid for him in 2023.
Akpom’s career has taken him through several clubs and countries. A product of Arsenal’s academy, he made his senior debut for the Gunners in 2013 before going on multiple loan spells. His most notable success came in Greece with PAOK, where he scored the decisive goal in the 2019 Greek Cup final, helping the club win a historic domestic double.
Despite scoring nine goals for Ajax in his debut season, Akpom struggled for consistent playing time and was sent on loan to Lille in early 2024. Now, with Ajax under new management following the appointment of Johnny Heitinga as head coach, Akpom finds himself among a group of players deemed expendable. Many of these players were signed during Sven Mislintat’s tenure as sporting director.
As Samsunspor continues to evaluate its options, the future of Akpom remains uncertain. Whether he will find a new home in Turkey or seek opportunities elsewhere, his journey highlights the challenges faced by professional footballers navigating the ever-changing landscape of club transfers.
