ONE YEAR on from his Middlesbrough exit, Chuba Akpom faces transfer uncertainty at Ajax, with the forward admitting he doesn't know what his future holds and revealing he might be forced to push for a move if he's going to spend another year on the sidelines in the Netherlands.

The former Arsenal striker left Boro for Ajax last summer after his record breaking season at the Riverside but endured a difficult campaign in what was a nightmare year for the Dutch giants.

Akpom made just eight league starts and two more in European competitions but still managed to score 15 goals in all competitions. He was pleased with that return considering he had to play second fiddle for most of the campaign, but admits he won't settle for another season on the bench.

And while he's keen to make a success of his time at the Johan Cruyff Arena and impress new coach Francesco Farioli, at this stage he's unsure what the rest of the summer will bring.

"To be honest, I don't know what the situation is exactly," he told Dutch publication NOS.

"What I have learned in my career is to just keep focusing on football. If you start thinking about things off the pitch, you get distracted. So I don't know if I will be here next week or at the end of the transfer window. But every day I come to the club, I train as if I will stay here this season."

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Akpom added: "I want to be part of a team that needs me. I don't think I can sit on the bench as a second striker for another year. If I get more involved in the games this year, then I'll be happy to stay here. If that's not the case, then maybe it's time to look elsewhere. We'll see."

Akpom has been impressed by ex-Sunderland head coach target Farioli, who joined Ajax from Nice this summer.

The Dutch club kick-off their season against Serbian side Vojvodina in Europa League qualifying next week.

"You can feel the positive vibe he's brought here," said Akpom of Farioli.

"I think all the guys are enjoying it so far. We've had a great time this past month.

 "The coach is very precise in the way he wants to build up. There really is a structure and everyone has to stick to that structure, to the tactics. Defensively, we also know what we want, we want to win the ball high up the pitch. The philosophy is quite clear."

Akpom was linked with a move away from Ajax in January, with Everton and Nottingham Forest both reportedly keen at the time.

Reflecting on last season, he said: "I tried to be important in the minutes I got. That's the only thing I could do, stay professional and make the best of it. I'm happy with that."

"I would very much like to continue working under this new coach."