Sheffield United look unlikely to make a move to sign Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom now, with the Blades unwilling to pay £10m.
Akpom is into the final year of his contract and had been identified as a key target for Paul Heckingbottom.
However, Middlesbrough are demanding a big fee for Akpom and according to Sky Sports, United are unwilling to meet the £10m that the Championship club want.
RC Lens and Ajax are both thought to have agreed to pay such a fee. Akpom, then, is expected to make a move to Europe rather than the Premier League.
Pulling out of a deal for Akpom could now see United press ahead with their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer.
Archer is thought to be another on Heckingbottom’s list as he looks to strengthen in attacking areas. The young forward shone at Boro on loan last season.
Villa are thought to be open to selling with a buy-back clause. Whether or not United can go to their valuation, though, remains to be seen.
Sheffield United News View: Value for money might not be there
The issue for United with Akpom is that if the price is too high then there is little value in the deal in terms of the future.
The signing of Akpom is very much one for the here and now in the hope he scores the goals that keep us up.
With Archer, there is the chance he hits the ground running and also brings in a fee in the future. Of course, he is a young player as well and there is a risk, given his lack of PL experience.
But if Akpom isn’t going to get over the line, then Cameron Archer would be a more than acceptable second option.