Three English Football League sides battle to sign Arsenal's Tim Akinola this summer

AT least three English Football League clubs are fighting for the signature of Arsenal's Nigeria-eligible midfielder Tim Akinola player has 12 months left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium and thus likely to leave soon.

Akinola, 22, will be out of contract at the end of next season, so Arsenal are willing to sell, although there is still a chance he sees his deal extended if a loan move is in the offing. At the moment, the likes of Oxford United, Stockport County and Gillingham are among the sides fighting to sign the midfielder.

Prior to joining Arsenal, Akinola spent time at Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town’s academies and spent last season on loan ay Chesterfield following a previous stint in Scotland with Dundee United. League One side Oxford United are said to be battling it out with League Two duo Stockport County and Gillingham for Akinola's services.

Romanian outfit Rapid Bucharest also hold an interest though, as are Turkish sides Umraniyespor and Genclerbirligi. At 22, the time has come for him to be playing senior football on a regular basis, so that will need to be a priority for the player as he weighs up his options ahead of next season.