Ex-Arsenal man once dubbed as ‘Henry’ set for Birmingham move

Birmingham City are closing in on a season-long loan for former Arsenal youngster, with an obligation to buy if they achieve Premier League promotion.

Birmingham City are reaching an end of talks with Ajax over a season-long loan deal for Chuba Akpom, with an obligation to buy if the Championship club secure promotion to the Premier League. Sky Sports Football report that discussions are progressing between the two clubs for the 29-year-old striker.

Birmingham, on a meteoric rise since NFL legend Tom Brady acquired a minority stake, achieved a record-breaking 111 points in League One last season. With Chris Davies at the helm, the Blues will be setting their sights on promotion to England’s top flight this season.

Akpom joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of six and progressed through the youth ranks to make 12 senior appearances for the Gunners between 2013 and 2018. During his time at Arsenal, teammate Alexis Sanchez dubbed him ‘Titi’, the same nickname used for club legend Thierry Henry.

The forward experienced multiple loan spells during his Arsenal career, including stints at Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Sint-Truiden. He left Arsenal permanently in 2018 when Greek side PAOK paid £900,000 for his services.

After winning the Greek Super League and Cup with PAOK, Akpom moved to Middlesbrough in 2020 for £2.75 million. His breakthrough season came in 2022/23 when he scored 28 goals in 40 Championship appearances, winning the division’s Golden Boot award and earning the Players’ Player of the Year accolade.

Ajax signed Akpom for €12.3 million in August 2023 on a five-year contract. However, the striker struggled to establish himself in Amsterdam, scoring 15 goals in 36 appearances during his first season. He was loaned to Lille in February 2025, where he managed three goals in 14 Ligue 1 appearances.

Ajax are seeking to reduce their wage bill and have placed Akpom on the transfer list. The Dutch club initially preferred a permanent sale but are now considering loan arrangements to ease their financial burden.

Earlier in the summer, the Arsenal academy graduate urged his former club to secure the signing of Viktor Gyökeres, labelling him as a ‘beast’. Now the Gunners finally secured their man to lead the line, Akpom would be in line to face the Swede next campaign, should Birmingham achieve their Premier League goal.