Chuba Apom has already posed for photographs in his new PAOK shirt despite there being no confirmation of his move from either club.
Image: Chuba Akpom posing in a PAOK shirt, ahead of his move to the Greek club. No confirmation from either club yet. #afc pic.twitter.com/v2fqv348U7
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 2, 2018
Greek media were initially expecting confirmation of the player’s move on Monday however at the time of writing we are still waiting.
Gazzetta.gr reports there was a delay in completing the signing due to ‘bureaucratic and procedural issues’.
Akpom had been heavily linked with a move to Sint-Truiden where he spent the second half of last season on loan but, in the end, they found his £2m price-tag too much to overcome.
Reports from Greece on Monday claimed that Arsenal will only receive £880k for Akpom so it seems there is still some confusion over the finer details. It does seem like he is going for less than Arsenal initially wanted, at least before bonuses are factored in.
Speaking at the weekend, the chief executive for Sint-Truiden, Takayuki Tateish, said, “We have to admit that Anderlecht could not even pay for the Akpom contract, who obviously wants to go to a team that competes in the European Championships, the Champions League or the Euro Cup.”
Gazetta.gr also reported that the Greek side first made contact with Akpom six weeks ago and that they worked ‘under extreme secrecy,’ which is the Arsenal way, as you know.
Akpom will reportedly sign a three-year deal with Arsenal banking an initial €1m (£880k) and a sell-on fee should anyone activate the €8m release clause PAOK are inserting into his contract. There is no word about any contractual bonuses at this point although they will certainly be included.