Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick are keen to keep star striker Chuba Akpom at the club – as such, they’re set to offer him a new ‘long-term’ deal, according to Football League World.

The lighting-quick forward has been sensational in the Championship this year. So far this season, he’s scored 19 goals and notched up a solitary assist in 29 league games.

He has also benefitted greatly from the appointment of Carrick. Since the former Manchester United midfielder was given the job as Boro boss, Akpom has scored 15 goals in 20 games.

Given Akpom’s impressive form, he has caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs who are keen to add him to their ranks. Additionally, the 27-year-old’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024 – due to this, should Boro fail to agree a new deal with Akpom before then, he will leave the club on a free transfer.

Akpom was signed by Middlesbrough back in 2020 from PAOK, for a fee of £2.75 million. He returned to PAOK on loan for the second half of the 2021/22 season.

Born in London and having played for England at youth level, Akpom nevertheless has opted to represent Nigeria on the international stage. However, at the time of writing, he has yet to receive a call up for the Super Eagles.