league-chuba-akpom-arsenal-chelsea-u19-nextgen_2991050

Fulham are giving serious consideration to a January loan move for Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom after it emerged that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to give his young forward another taste of first-team football in the new year.

The 21 year-old is nearing full fitness once again as he recovers from a back injury sustained in September and Wenger is eyeing the opening of the transfer window in January as an opportunity to reprise Akpom’s excellent Championship showing from last season’s loan stint with promoted Hull City. The England under 21 international, who has four goals in five caps at that level for his country, scored seven goals in 40 appearances for the Tigers last season – with his haul including an FA Cup hat-trick against Bury.

There will be no shortage of potential destinations for the 6ft striker with the likes of Cardiff City and Brentford, for whom Akpom made four appearances in a brief loan spell two seasons ago, also interested in his services. Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic is likely to be looking for further additions to his forward line when the transfer window re-opens with only Cauley Woodrow and Matt Smith as potential replacements for Chris Martin, who is currently the first choice for the lone striker role.

Wenger is keen for Akpom to continue his development on loan as he will struggle to feature due to the fierce competition for places at Arsenal. The youngster has made just one appearance for the first-team this season, which came in the 4-0 EFL Cup victory against Nottingham Forest in September.