Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom is being monitored by Crystal Palace, Everton and Southampton

Crystal Palace, Everton and Southampton are monitoring the Championship’s top scorer Chuba Akpom as they look for more firepower in January.

Former Arsenal youngster Akpom, 27, has fired himself into contention for a top-flight return thanks to his impressive form this season.

Akpom has scored 12 times in just 19 appearances, spearheading Boro’s rapid climb up the Championship table since the appointment of new manager Carrick in October.

Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom is being monitored by three Premier League teams

Everton boss Frank Lampard (L) and Palace manager Patrick Vieira are keen on Akpom as they chase more goals – while Southampton are also keen

Akpom’s tally for the season includes eight goals in Carrick’s nine games helping Boro climb from third bottom to just two points outside the play-offs ahead of today’s visit to Birmingham.

Such a goal return will be welcomed by all in-form Akpom fans.

Palace are currently 11th in the Premier League but are the lowest scorers among the top 15 teams in the division with just 17 goals in 16 games.

Everton have only netted 13 times making them the joint-third lowest scorers in the Premier League.

Akpom is the Championship’s top scorer after netting 12 goals in 18 games for Boro

Southampton are currently rock-bottom, with their failure to sign a reliable source of goals in the summer a factor in their struggles this season.

They are also interested in French side Lorient’s 11-goal top scorer Terem Moffi.

Akpom moved to Boro in 2020 for £2.75m after starting his career with Greek side PAOK Salonika after leaving Arsenal for good in 2018.

He has signed a three-year contract which expires this summer but Boro have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.