Peterborough United and York City have emerged as key figures in an increasingly competitive race to former City midfielder Tim Akinola during the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old is attracting growing interest as clubs across multiple divisions assess midfield reinforcements ahead of the season run-in. Peterborough are understood to be monitoring the situation closely as they look to maintain momentum in League One, where they currently sit tenth, just outside the play-off places but within touching distance of the top six.
York City, meanwhile, are approaching the situation from a very different position of strength. The National League leaders have built a commanding platform at the summit of the table, combining defensive solidity with one of the division’s most productive attacks. With promotion firmly in their sights, York are exploring opportunities to strengthen their squad with players capable of operating at a higher level, both immediately and in the longer term.
Other clubs are thought to be watching: Rochdale, League Two side Craweley and Waterford in Ireland have also been linked.
Akinola’s Career
Akinola remains under contract at Woking until the summer of 2026, placing his current club in a delicate position. While Woking would prefer to retain one of their key midfield options, there is an acceptance that a suitable offer could prompt a sale, particularly given the risk of losing the player for nothing at the end of the campaign.
Akinola began his youth career with us, not appearing for the senior side, before moving on to Huddersfield Town. Eyebrows were certainly raised a while later, after joining Arsenal, where he featured regularly at Under-23 level. Loan spells and short-term moves followed across the UK and abroad, including stints with Dundee United, Chesterfield, Al Bidda in Qatar, and several National League sides.
Since joining Woking last summer, Akinola has become a consistent presence in midfield, valued for his work rate, positional discipline, and experience across different tactical systems. Although he is not a prolific goal scorer, his reliability and adaptability have made him an appealing option for clubs seeking depth and control rather than headline numbers.
Peterborough or York?
While there are other teams interested, Posh and the Minstermen seem like the obvious choices, were he to move. Peterborough’s interest reflects a broader need to add balance to their squad as the League One promotion race tightens. With fine margins separating clubs from third place downwards, recruitment decisions made in January could prove decisive in shaping the final months of the season.
York’s involvement underlines their ambition to think beyond the National League, targeting players who could transition smoothly into the EFL should promotion be secured. With Waterford also having opened talks, the situation is developing quickly, and Akinola’s future could be resolved before the window closes.