Fresh twist emerges in Birmingham City, Ipswich Town transfer saga to sign Chuba Akpom despite medical | OneFootball

This mad episode isn't over yet as new reports give Birmingham's hopes of signing Akpom some life.

Birmingham City's chances of signing Chuba Akpom are not over, despite Ipswich Town's seemingly successful hijack of their deal for the Ajax forward.

As of Monday morning, all the signs pointed towards another blockbuster move by the Blues. Akpom was set to head to Birmingham to complete a medical ahead of a loan move from his Dutch parent club. That was before Kieran McKenna's side got involved.

They tabled a bid to Ajax for the 29-year-old that mirrored Blues' loan offer, which included a £7 million buy-clause if they get promoted this season.

Ipswich have needed to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer following the departure of Liam Delap to Chelsea for £30 million. Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph reported on Monday evening that the Tractor Boys' attempted hijack had been successful. Akpom was on his way to Portman Road to complete a medical, handing their promotion rivals a massive blow.

Birmingham fighting back in Chuba Akpom battle with Ipswich

One thing we have learned from Knighthead's time in charge of Birmingham is that they don't like to take no for an answer, and it's been no different with Ajax.

Blues have gone back to the Eredivisie side with an altered offer. They are now in talks with them over a permanent deal for Akpom, as per Sky Sports.

Even still, Ipswich are the reported favourites to land the former Middlesbrough talisman, who, one way or the other, is likely to be involved in some capacity in the Championship's opening match of the season, on Friday, when City host Town at St Andrew's.

Boro, themselves, had also tried to get in ahead of Birmingham, but their attempts wasn't successful. It has been reported by Gazette Live (14:23) that the player was hesitant to come back to the Riverside Stadium, where he scored 28 goals in his last Championship campaign.

Birmingham could retake the lead in Chuba Akpom race with a certain bid

As much as Akpom hasn't carried his form from his days working under Michael Carrick over to the Netherlands, his scoring record hasn't been that bad. 23 goals in 68 games for the club isn't a poor return for the former £12.3 million man.

He did, however, spend the latter half of the previous campaign on loan in France with Lille, which shows why Ajax are willing to let the ex-Arsenal player go.

This could work in Birmingham's favour if they play their cards right. If Ajax are ultimately happy to make a potential £5.3 million loss on the forward, then surely they'd be open to a permanent bid now that is upwards of £7 million.

The player may need some convincing to turn down the opportunity in front of him in East Anglia, but there is certainly life left in this deal for Blues.