Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton are all interested in Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom, according to reports.

The ex-Arsenal player has been in scintillating form over the past few months, racking up nine goals in his last ten appearances for the Teessiders.

However, even though Boro do have an option to extend Akpom’s contract beyond the end of the season, the striker has yet to agree terms on signing a long-term deal.

Manager Michael Carrick revealed back in November that he wanted the 27-year-old to commit his future to the club but the interest from Premier League teams may have turned his head.

It looks as if Middlesbrough are already putting contingency plans in place with the impending arrival of Cameron Archer on loan from Aston Villa, but Carrick clearly wants Akpom to remain part of his plans as well.

The forward has had an up-and-down career since moving to the Riverside Stadium in 2020, having been loaned out to PAOK Salonika before returning to the North East last summer. It remains to be seen whether he will stay at the club for much longer.