As long as Boro don’t try to reunite Akpom with Giles - though Akpom was actually only successful when he was played as a number ten so hope he’s not being lined up for centre-forward role?
Still, Conway could play the Archer role so it could work if Boro understand his strengths - a playmaker to replace Hackney will be needed!
@werdermouth. “so hope he’s not being lined up for centre-forward role?”
Once the HH deal did not proceed I was thinking that we could not afford to buy a CF and perhaps this is the cheaper option. 😎
If anyone can make sense of the headline below then you’ve done better than me…
Middlesbrough Could Strike On ‘Remained Low’ Aspect As Push To Hijack Birmingham City Swoop Ongoing
Seems like the reason Boro might be able to hi jack Akpom's Birmingham deal is by offering to sign him permanently rather than on loan. Ajax's asking price is £7m. Boro could be trying to negotiate a lower fee. A safer option would have been a loan deal if we had been quicker off the mark.
@lenmasterman 7 million and around 25/30 thousand a week, probably a three year contract to make it worth his while, for a thirty year old in October. No thank you.
That just does not make sense to me when we need so many other players. Never mind the permanently crocked ones on decent wages that are paid, with no return. (Apart from what insurance we are entitled to)
@werdermouth I wonder what has happened to the wonder kid Hunt. It looked as though he would be on the fringes at least by now.
@werdermouth And probably no chance of selling Azaz now, to cover the purchase if true.
What would Edwards do with Akpom, Azaz and Whitaker. None with any pace.
I’m open to a Akpom return if he’s played in the same way he did when scoring 28 goals - he held the ball really well and brought others into the game and scored some terrific goals - also he’s fit and strong and has only missed 6 games in the last 4 seasons because of injury.
However, he will need pace around him for him to be effective - though I think a fee around £7m is way too high for a 30 year old - remember Boro sold him for £10.5m as a 27-year old after scoring 28 goals in a season - I think he only managed 8 goals and 2 assists last season.
£4m max as he won’t have a resale value but wages might be tricky.
Harley Hunt is only 18 - actually 18 today - so still got time on his side - unusual to be playing first team football at that age.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Azaz is sold in this window if a firm offer materializes in the next 4 weeks - though my problem is how we move on players like Burgzorg who still has 4 years contract - plus will McGree contribute much this season or is he destined to spend most of his time on the treatment table for a third season running - seems to be the only time running and McGree are mentioned together of late!
Apkom? That's a strange one. He recognised that it was Carrick that found out how to get the best out of him and Carrick is no longer at Boro. So, I ask myself, why would he want to come back to Boro when Boro has dispensed with Carrick? I can't see it happening, but I suspect I would be happy enough it it did.
well that is more like it, both for a fee and for an opportunity for himself. If he makes that move I hopevit will work out well for him. The danger for him is that he could become just a squad player that doesn't get that much opportunity. A middling PL club might be better for him at this stage, but I am sure he will be unable to refuse.Hackney to man u 24 million... you heard it here 1st
OFB
Add ons one hopes, for number of appearances. England call up and England appearance and then, a whopping sell on fee.🤞
Maybe he'll play a so-called number 10 role to our present no 9. who knows? Sounds like our esteemed recruitment department are busking it to me. Does anyone see a coherent plan?
Confused of West Norfolk.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson According to the Gazette, the deal with Birmingham is a loan with an obligation of 7 million, if promoted.
If it is true that Mr Gibson is interested in Akpom, because why would Edwards, then I think this would be another mistake to add to quite a few previous ones recently under the recruitment guise.
We have changed track big time with our system of play. It really does beggar belief at what was talked about when Edwards was interviewed. Did no one on both sides discuss the present squad what would be needed to play 3-4-3 and the timeline for change. It all appears to be ill thought out to me.
@werdermouth You read on other blogs, posters saying, always injured, get rid.
So how do you realistically get rid of players on big-ish wages that are or have a history of injuries. Nigh on impossible I assume.
All teams get injuries, it is part and parcel of the game.
But, Dieng, Ayling, VDB, Lenihan, Bangura, Fry (in his last year, will he be sold or even given a new contract) McGree, Forss. And now we have Edmundson and Azaz.
How many of those fit Edwards’ system? How many of those could we in truth move on.
And the above does not even include those not injured but probably not suited to the present system.
You really could not make it up.
@werdermouth. Interesting that the EG are reporting that discussions with Brum are well advanced and Boro are making a last ditch effort which is different to the Echo. I wonder who knows the exact state of play😉
Not sure it’s the right move without Cameron Archer in the side.
We may end up with the version of Chuba Akpom we saw pre Carrick. 😎
....and maybe it could work out well. Conway is a poacher like Archer and I'd be quite happy to have him up top supported by a combination from Azaz, Whitakker, McGree and Akpom. That then leaves us needing some wingback cover - we're after the American and maybe Silvera will be a nice surprise - and a top-class replacement for Hackney and we're on the way to a solid squad.
UTB
@selwynoz and we know where to play Akpom, don't we? So if approved by Edwards, it might well work.
But let's see what happens. I cannot see why we are so negative on this blog. Seems like the spectators and fans at games like Rangers away were much more happy with Edwards and his team.
Up the Boro!
Obviously a late attempted hijack of a deal doesn’t sound like it was planned - probably a sign that recruitment have either missed out on their striker targets or lack of sales mean they’re limited in how much they can spend - plus season starts next week!
@jarkko I am negative Jarrko, because having seen them play three matches (on the TV) the majority of of present players are not suited to Edwards style of play.
Can you honestly see Azaz or Whittaker, or McGree, if he ever gets fit, being successful in pressing to the extent that is required by the Coaches.
OK the addition of Britain may help, but Silvera cannot defend. So are we going to need a 12th try LB? Then there is the HH issue.
I posted last month that a study showed that long-term injured players are more likely to suffer new injuries as their bodies behave differently and compensate and adjust to the effects of the injury - often full recovery is never achieved and must adapt.
It makes sense as they’ve likely missed a long period of training and stress to the body does take a long time to heal - plus scar tissue doesn’t always repair.
Just how reliable some players will be is what the club must assess but then it’s unlikely these players can be moved on - so there’s no easy solution.
The problem comes if you’re carrying a quarter of your squad as it’s then a small squad to rotate and keep fit in the grind of the Championship.
@pedro Well, we will see on Saturday.
But some people were asking us to play with three centre backs last season. Now we do. Let's see how it works.
I see the defence is sorted out now that Brittain joins us. And I think Silvera has been one of our best players so far this pre-season. We have enough of centrebacks and Ayling as a cover for Brittain. Silvera and Bangura (when fit) for left wind-back. And Borges as extra cover.
We need a striker or two now. Elsewhere we need more players if some leave. As I said earlier, McCabe and Woolston can cover injuries, a number 10 might need an addition. Did someone mention Akpom?
I look forward to the season to start. We are still work in progress but I trust the situation is the same at Swansea, too. Up the Boro!
It would make more sense this season to try and bring through several promising youngsters rather than simply sign budget options who are not likely to improve much - this for me is a season of transition so not expecting Edwards to produce a promotion challenging team.
It would make more sense this season to try and bring through several promising youngsters rather than simply sign budget options who are not likely to improve much - this for me is a season of transition so not expecting Edwards to produce a promotion challenging team.
Absolutely agree. I look forward to them getting a chance to work with the first team squad and getting chances to play.
UTB
It would make more sense this season to try and bring through several promising youngsters rather than simply sign budget options who are not likely to improve much - this for me is a season of transition so not expecting Edwards to produce a promotion challenging team.
Absolutely agree. I look forward to them getting a chance to work with the first team squad and getting chances to play.
UTB
Yes, we need to trust more of the youngsters.
But I expect Boro to finish better than the 10th in the coming season. Or why did we make the change to Edwards?
We must be there or there about for play-offs this coming season. We have a better squad than Luton had two years ago. If we do not get through play-offs in May 2026, then automatic promotion must be the aim in season 2026/27.
The aim at Boro must be promotion in EVERY season. We are big enough club. Up the Boro!
So Akpom is going to Birmingham in spite of Steve Gibson's late intervention. The question for me is why Birmingham were quicker on the draw than the Boro in the first place. We surely should have had more knowledge of and contact with the player than any other club in the country
Sounds like a sign of frustration by Steve Gibson at the lack of success at signing a striker if he was behind the Akpom move - still the numbers probably didn’t add up for a permanent deal as Ajax couldn’t drop the £7m price tag if they’d agreed that price with Birmingham.
And we were not prepared to pay Akpom's salary in full during his loan.
Not the end of the world, though.
PS. Ipswich Town have joined Middlesbrough in making a late approach for Ajax ace Chuba Akpom, despite pending Birmingham City medical. https://the72.co.uk/2025/08/04/ipswich-town-chuba-akpom-move-birmingham-city-deal/
Up the Boro!
In theory you’re right that Carrick was replaced by Edwards after the review concluded the team underachieved.
There’s still a lot of work to be done before I’m convinced Edwards has a promotion challenging squad for this season though.
It will be interesting to see how Boro’s budget compares to other Championship teams this season but I think we were around 10th largest wage bill last season and suspect it will be similar again.
Another Doak or Archer type loan probably needed to add some quality and pace - but losing Hackney will be a blow.