Lens target Super Eagles invitee Akpom to replace outgoing Openda

Ligue 1 side Lens are reportedly lining up a move for Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom in case they lose Belgian forward Lois Openda this summer. 

Openda was in record-breaking form for Lens in the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, scoring 21 goals, the most by a Lens player in a single Ligue 1 campaign, as Les Sang et Ors finished in an impressive second place. 

The Belgian forward has attracted interest from all over Europe after his sensational campaign and has been linked with a move to one of the Milan clubs this summer. 

Lens have been in the market for a replacement for Openda, and according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the French side could be interested in a move for Nigerian striker Akpom. 

The 27-year-old former Arsenal striker had an equally astonishing season, helping Middlesbrough come close to a return to the Premier League. 

Akpom was named Middlesbrough Player of the Year and EFL Championship Player of the Year after a stunning season that saw him score 28 goals in 40 games for Boro in the 2022/23 league campaign as they finished fourth under the guidance of former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick. 

A move to Lens would afford Akpom the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League after Les Sang et Ors will play in Europe’s top competition in the 2023/24 season for the first time since they had another Nigerian, John Utaka in their ranks.