Super Eagles hopeful left hanging as Lens pull out of transfer at the last minute

Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom has been left red-faced after Ligue 1 side Lens pulled out of talks to sign the striker at the last step despite already agreeing terms for the transfer.

Lens had reportedly reached an agreement with Middlesbrough and Akpom for a move this summer, with a medical already booked for the former Arsenal forward on Monday, but Les Sang et Ors decided to pull out of the deal after what they deemed to be irregularities.

The deal was supposed to take place for a reported €11 million upfront and €2 million in bonuses, but Lens reportedly grew irritated at the actions of Akpom’s entourage.

According to Foot Mercato, the 2022/23 Ligue 1 runners-up caught wind of Akpom’s representatives negotiating a deal with Dutch club Ajax while also negotiating with Lens and decided to pull the plug on the transfer to avoid being caught in a bidding war.

Lens were reportedly on the verge of signing Akpom as a replacement for Belgian striker Lois Openda, who left France to sign for RB Leipzig in Germany, but will now have to look at other targets to lead their attack in the new season.

Akpom will not be short of suitors in the transfer market after a superb 2022/23 season with Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship, which saw him bag 28 goals in 40 league games.

The 27-year-old forward, who is eligible to play for Nigeria despite representing England at the Youth level, was in sensational form, winning the 2022/23 Championship Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards, raising significant interest in his services.

Middlesbrough will be looking to sell the former Arsenal starlet this season for a fee, as they risk losing him for nothing in the 2024 summer transfer market.