Why Leicester City Should Swoop For Kelechi Iheanacho
Leicester City are set to make a sensational swoop for Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho as per reports from The Telegraph. The 20-year old Nigerian international finds himself on the fringes of the first-team at the Etihad, following the January arrival of Gabriel Jesus and looks to be heading out in order to get regular first-team action.
The Foxes are keen on signing him and are mulling over a £25 million move for Iheanacho according to the report. Fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United too were in the competition for the signature of the promising striker, but it seems that Leicester will be in a position to beat them with a superior bid.
The Foxes will be looking to improve their 11th placed finish last season, after having confirmed Craig Shakespeare as their new permanent manager. The former assistant of Claudio Ranieri took over in February this year as the caretaker boss following the Italian’s sacking, and he sparked a brilliant turnaround to lead the team away from the relegation battle. And he will be keen on making a stronger impression in his first full season as the manager of the club.
The Foxes have already shown great intent in the market, having clinched the signature of sought-after defender Harry Maguire from Hull City earlier this month for a £17million fee. Adding a new striker will be on top of the manager’s shortlist, after having seen the goal-scoring burden lie heavily on the shoulders of Jamie Vardy.
Shakespeare does have the option of using record signing Islam Slimani, but the Algerian international hasn’t exactly been able to have the desired impact in his first season, while Shinji Okazaki isn’t someone who can get goals consistently for the team. With Leonardo Ulloa also set to leave, a new centre-forward will become a priority for the 2015-16 Premier League winners.
Iheanacho is someone who could turn out to be a prolific signing for the Foxes. The 20-year old is highly rated by the people at the Etihad but is going to be allowed to leave as manager Pep Guardiola is in the market for another top class striker to partner Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. The fact that the Nigerian international featured for just 139 minutes in 2017 since Jesus’ arrival is something that has driven the player to consider an exit.
Iheanacho has had a great goal-scoring record in the Premier League in his fledgeling career. In December last year, it was reported that the 20-year old had the best goals per minute ratio in the Premier League history for any striker with more than 10 goals. He was scoring a goal every 96 minutes in the English top flight. That has gone down since then, following his inconsistent run in the side, but the fact that he had held that record indicates the volume of talent and potential in the youngster.
Last season, the 20-year old City academy graduate finished with a tally of 7 goals and 3 assists from 29 games in all competitions and till date has managed 21 goals for the Citizens in 64 appearances since making his debut back in 2015.
He is fast, has the dribbling abilities, the physical attributes to go toe to toe with the defenders, and his exquisite finishing makes him a special talent. His intelligence to make those incisive movements in the final third, to carve out spaces for himself and his teammates are things that have caught the eye of many.
At this age, Iheanacho needs regular game time and he is right in seeking an exit from the Etihad. At Leicester, he will get the chances to play regularly, partnering the brilliant Vardy. Surely, that partnership will cause a headache to the opposition defences. The deal makes perfect sense for both the player and the Foxes, and they need to act quickly and wrap it up at the earliest.