Kelechi Iheanacho has not had the desired impact since joining Leicester City from Manchester City.
Leicester City manager Claude Puel has told the Leicester Mercury that he wants the club to offload some strikers this month to aid Kelechi Iheanacho’s development.
Puel is desperate to give Iheanacho more game time but has had to juggle the playing expectations of six senior forwards since taking over at the King Power Stadium in October.
Iheanacho has only made five starts for the Foxes this season, having been expected to flourish following his £25m arrival from Manchester City – fee reported by BBC Sport.
However, the 21-year-old scored twice on his last outing, against Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup, and Puel wants to create a pathway for more regular action by balancing out his squad.
“I think it was fantastic for him and the squad, that he scored two quality goals,” The Mercury quotes Puel as saying.
“I was happy with his performance from the beginning of that game. He showed his quality and his use of the ball – and he scored two good goals. He works hard on the pitch and this is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes he may get frustrated and disappointed.
“Sometimes it is difficult to give all the game time to some of the players because for example we have six strikers in his position. Without a good balance in the squad it is difficult to manage all these players and continue to improve them.
“It will be important in this transfer window to find this good balance and I hope Kelechi will get more game time in the future.”
Iheanacho has been competiting with Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa for places in the Leicester squad this season, but both have been tipped to move on before the transfer window closes.
The Birmingham Mail understands that Aston Villa want to sign Ulloa on loan, while Slimani has been linked with Newcastle United, who are preparing a £20m bid according to The Mirror.
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