Chuba Akpom: Michael Carrick unbothered by Nigerian’s contract extension delay

Middlesbrough head coach Michael  Carrick has calmed the nerves of everyone at the club involved to “relaxed” over the contract extension of his goal machine Chuba Akpom.

Akpom netted a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Monday and his manager believed he will stay to continue his brilliant form with the club despite having six months left on his contract.

“He’s just got himself a hat trick so he’s going to be knocking on the door asking for one, isn’t he?!” said Carrick, via Teesside Live.

“I’m joking, of course. We’re relaxed about that and I’m sure that will be sorted in due course,” he added.

However, the Championship side has a one-year clause they can trigger on his contract, which they’re sure to activate to keep the striker glued on the Riverside.

With this clause, Akpom effectively has 18 months left, giving the club time to negotiate over a possible extension with the striker.

Before the appointment of the Manchester United legend and interim manager, Carrick, the Nigeria international had scored just 12 goals in 105 league games in English football but the forward has revitalized his career at the Riverside scoring 12 goals in 17 games.

The 27-year-old former Arsenal player is now joint-top scorer in the division alongside Viktor Gyokeres.