Middlesbrough are hoping to keep hold of top scorer Chuba Akpom this summer, according to Teesside Live.

The former Arsenal academy graduate had a remarkable season, ending up with 29 goals in all competitions, and there are believed to be a number of Premier League teams pursuing his signature.

Crystal Palace and Everton have been mentioned as potential suitors but Boro won’t push Akpom towards the exit door in order to raise funds for other transfer business.

It has been suggested that the Teessiders would want at least £20m for the 27-year-old, who signed a new eighteen-month contract back in January.

Akpom will be crucial to Boro’s chances of promotion next season

If Boro do end up selling Akpom, they will find it hard very hard to replace his goals. Only two other players made it into double figures for the club in the Championship last season and one of those was Cameron Archer, who has returned to Aston Villa after his loan spell.

You need a striker who can score 20+ a season to gain promotion and manager Michael Carrick will be desperate to keep hold of Akpom for that reason.