Arsenal are set to send Chuba Akpom on loan to Hull City on a season-long loan, reports the Daily Mirror.
The 19-year-old has spent pre-season with the Gunners, but looks likely to be let down in his hopes to break in to the first team. Instead of this the striker is looking likely to join the Tigers as they attempt to be promoted back in to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The England Under-20 international completed a temporary move to the Championship last season as well, but failed to score in seven games for Nottingham Forest. He will be hoping to be more successful at the KC Stadium if he is to impress his manager Arsene Wenger.
This development will only add more credence to the rumours linking Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to the Emirates Stadium. The 27-year-old could be allowed to join the North London club if they make a £40m bid for him, according to the Daily Express. With Akpom leaving it means there could be space being made in the Arsenal squad for the former Lyon man.
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The France international scored 15 goals in 29 La Liga appearances during the last campaign, and could be perfect to bolster their striking ranks ahead of a potential title challenge. Wenger will need to get his side scoring more if he is going to bridge the 12-point gap to Chelsea, having netted less than both the Blues and Manchester City last time round.
With doubts over Olivier Giroud’s ability to perform against the very best sides [Daily Telegraph], signing Benzema could be vital in their attempts to win the Premier League and make an impact in the Cup competitions. As well as that, the likes of Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, and Joel Campbell have never played centrally for an extended period of time, leaving the Gunners in even more need of a top-class centre-forward.