Ian Holloway has refused to deny an interest in signing Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom.

The striker, who Arsene Wenger this week described as being “close to the first team”, has been linked with both Millwall and Charlton.

“I’m sure a lot of clubs would have been,” Holloway replied when asked if he was targeting Akpom.

“He’s a fantastic young man, good player, scores a lot of goals.

“He’s an Arsenal player so I think it’s disrespectful if I tell you ‘Yes, no’ or not, but, luckily for Arsenal, they’ve got a very, very good young man.

“I think Arsenal already know my thoughts on that and I don’t like talking about anybody else’s players.”

Holloway has made no secret of his desire to recruit a striker for his team but was frustrated in his attempts to do so before the recent loan deadline.

Millwall travel to fellow Championship strugglers Brighton on Friday night.

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