Dutch giants Ajax and English side Ipswich Town are now just one match away from completing a permanent £7 million deal for Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom, Soccernet.ng reports.
It is not often that fans in Amsterdam follow the English Championship this closely, but this season has been different and that’s because of Super Eagles hopeful Chuba Akpom.
The former Arsenal striker is currently on loan from Ajax to Ipswich Town, and his future depends heavily on what happens on the final day of the season. Ipswich are chasing automatic promotion to the Premier League, and that outcome will decide whether the deal becomes permanent. The agreement between both clubs includes a mandatory purchase clause worth around £7 million (approx: ₦13 billion), but it will only be triggered if Ipswich secure promotion.
On Tuesday night, Ipswich had a big chance to seal their place, but they were held to a draw by Southampton. That result delayed the celebrations and left everything to be decided on the final weekend. Ipswich will now face Queens Park Rangers in their last match of the season, knowing that a win will guarantee their return to the top flight.
Going into that decisive game, Ipswich sit second in the Championship table with 81 points after 45 matches. They are just one point ahead of third-placed Millwall, which means there is no room for error. If Ipswich win, promotion is secured. If they slip, they risk falling into the play-offs.
Akpom between Ajax and Ipswich
Akpom’s journey to Ipswich last summer was not straightforward. In August 2025, several clubs showed interest in signing him from Ajax. Birmingham City had even agreed a deal and offered around £6 million for a permanent transfer.
However, Akpom chose Ipswich instead, believing it was the better move for his football development. That decision led to a season-long loan deal, running until June 2026, with a condition that Ipswich must buy him if they reach the Premier League. Now, months later, everything comes down to one final match.
On the pitch, Akpom has had to be patient. He has mostly played as a substitute under manager Kieran McKenna, with players like George Hirst and Iván Azón often preferred in the starting line-up. Out of his 28 appearances this season, only seven have been starts, while 21 have come from the bench.
In total, he has scored two goals in 878 minutes of Championship football. His first goal came in November 2025 during an away win against Hull City, a moment that helped boost his confidence after a slow start.
Although his numbers are not as high as in his previous seasons, especially during his prolific spell at Middlesbrough, Akpom has still played an important role. He has often been used late in games to bring energy, press defenders, and help protect leads.
Ipswich’s promotion would mean a welcome financial boost to the purses at Ajax while it would finally secure Akpom’s long-awaited return to the Premier League. Everything now rests on 90 minutes against QPR.
