The Leicester City striker was linked with a move to Newcastle United in the summer.
Leicester City manager Claude Puel has admitted it is difficult for him to utilise all of his six strikers.
Two of those, Leonardo Ulloa and Kelechi Iheanacho, a reported summer target for Newcastle United [the Mirror], played for the Foxes’ Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy this week.
“Kelechi had an injury and after, for the moment, we have competition,” said Puel when asked by the Leicester Mercury if he would sell Iheanacho.
“I am happy with Jamie [Vardy] for example. Kelechi or other players cannot play on the side.”
But with four other rivals for what has often been a solitary place in Puel’s team, one would think something will have to give in January – even if it’s one of them leaving on loan.
And that’s where Newcastle come in. The Magpies could be short on cash if a proposed takeover isn’t completed in time, and temporary deals could be the best way of improving their out-of-form side.
Iheanacho, who cost Leicester £25 million from Manchester City in the summer and boasts the eighth best minutes-per-goal ratio (55) of any player to have made more than 10 Premier League appearances since his debut in 2015, could breathe fresh life into Newcastle’s attack and would be a low-risk signing if the Foxes are indeed willing to loan him out.
If not, they could always ask about Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa or Ulloa.
Should Newcastle try again for Iheanacho after Puel’s comments?
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