Portsmouth rivals make move for £12m Ajax striker as Norwich City close in on £1m arrival.
Latest transfer news involving Pompey’s Championship rivals. Pompey’s season-opener against Oxford United next week is quickly approaching.
On Saturday afternoon, the Blues completed their Championship preparations with a 1-0 victory over Dutch side PEC Zwolle, with Thomas Waddingham scoring in the final minute.
All eyes are now on the opening day match against the United, as John Mousinho’s side looks to carry their unbeaten pre-season into the league.
This summer, the squad has added five new players, the most recent being Florian Bianchini, who joined Adrian Segecic, John Swift, Luke Le Roux, and Mark Kosznovszky.
Pompey aren’t the only team looking to strengthen ahead of the season’s start, with several Championship rivals hoping to continue their summer spending. Here are the most recent headlines involving the Blues’ fellow second-tier teams.
Birmingham back Akpom
Birmingham City are reportedly in talks with Eredivisie giants Ajax about a move for forward Chuba Akpom. According to the Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf, Chris Davies’ side is looking to sign the striker this summer as they prepare to return to the Championship.
According to the report, the Blues have made an approach to sign the 26-year-old on loan with the option to buy if they are promoted to the Premier League.
However, Ajax will only sanction the move if the powerful frontman leaves permanently. After an impressive debut season at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where he scored 11 goals in 25 league appearances, the ex-Brighton player fell out of favour last season and was loaned out to Ligue 1 club Lille.
Akpom joined Ajax in 2023 for £12.2 million following an outstanding 2022-23 season with Middlesbrough, during which he scored 29 goals in 42 appearances. The striker has three years left with John Heitinga’s side but could be on his way out, with Championship newcomers interested.
Pompey will face Birmingham at St Andrews for the first time since 2011, with the Blues adding eight new players after being promoted from League One.
Canaries swoop for forward
According to Sky Sports, Norwich City are close to signing Lincoln City’s Jovon Makama. The Canaries are believed to have had their bid accepted by the Imps for the versatile forward, who can play on either wing or in the middle.
The 21-year-old, who came up through the ranks at Sincil Bank, is close to joining Carrow Road, with a £1 million fee agreed upon. Makama, who scored six goals and provided six assists in League One last season, has two years left on his current contract with Michael Skubala’s side but is expected to leave for a record fee.
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