Ex-Arsenal striker Akpom to join Ipswich if they clinch Premiership promotion this weekend

FORMER Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom could be joining Premier-League bound side Ipswich Town during the summer transfer window as the Tractor Boys look to activate a transfer agreement they have  his Dutch parent club Ajax.

Akpom, 30, joined Arsenal at the age of six, eventually breaking into the senior team in 2013 and remaining a Gunner until 2018. After several loan spells, Akpom was sold to Greek side Paok, who in turn sold him to Middlesboro in 2020, from where he was eventually sold to his current side in 2023.

On August 11 2025, Akpom joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan and now that the club is just one win away from promotion, they are looking to make the move permanent. Akpom's future now depends heavily on what happens on the final day of the season as Ipswich sit in second place with 81 points and just need to beat Queens Park Rangers on Saturday to secure automatic promotion.

Already, there has been an agreement between both clubs that includes a mandatory purchase clause worth around £7m but it will only be triggered if Ipswich secure promotion. On Tuesday night, Ipswich had a big chance to seal s sport in the Premier League but they were held to a draw by Southampton, which has delayed matters until the weekend.

Last August, several clubs showed interest in signing Akpom from Ajax, with Birmingham City and the Dutch giants even agreeing a deal worth around £6m 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. On the pitch, Akpom 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, with his first goal coming in November 2025 during an away win against Hull City.