Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth expects forward Adebayo Akinfenwa to extend his stay at Adams Park.
Wycombe Wanderers Boss Comments on Future of Adebayo Akinfenwa
Ainsworth: I’m Pretty Sure It’s Going to Be Wycombe
Gareth Ainsworth has said he believes Adebayo Akinfenwa still has at least a year left in him as the forward’s contract nears expiration.
The 38-year-old celebrates his birthday on Friday and is nearing the end of his current set of terms.
But Chairboys boss Ainsworth is confident that the experienced striker will pen a new deal.
In 2016, Akinfenwa famously appealed for managers to “hit him up on WhatsApp”.
The striker was speaking to SkySports having just scored a 101st-minute penalty as AFC Wimbledon were promoted from League Two.
And it was a call-out which eventually led to the forward making a move to Adams Park.
But Ainsworth, who signed the physical forward four years ago, says such tactics will not be necessary this time around.
“I’ve deleted WhatsApp from his phone so he’s not going to be texting anymore managers,” he joked.
“If there’s a club he’s going to play for, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be Wycombe continuing going forward.”
‘I Think He’s Going to Be Around a Little Longer’
Looking back on the forward’s time with the Chairboys, Ainsworth was full of compliments.
Since arriving four years ago, Akinfenwa has scored 53 goals from 173 appearances.
Being such a physical presence, many thought Akinfenwa’s career would be short; however, Ainsworth still sees a future for the striker at Wycombe Wanderers.
“Four years ago he was scoring a penalty in the play-off final at Wembley to get out of League Two,” he said.
“Back then he was probably told that he was at the peak of his powers and that was his best; I bet even [Ade]bayo thought that moment was going to be the end of his career and one to saviour
“[He] has scored the most goals in the league campaign for Wycombe Wanderers since we got into the League in 1993-94.
“He’s now our record goalscorer which is an amazing achievement. He’s scored over 200 career goals – you’re putting him in a real quality family there and I think he’s going to be around a little longer at Wycombe Wanderers.
“There are talks going on behind the scenes but, at the moment, all Bayo wants to focus on is getting results against Fleetwood and maybe even getting in the play-off final – four years after he thought he’d played his last one.”
