West Ham United should keep an eye on the incredibly talented Manchester City youngster.
West Ham have started to show signs in recent weeks that they are turning their campaign right around after a difficult first half of the season, but there is no question that Slaven Bilic’s squad still needs significant strengthening in the summer.
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One area of the pitch that they arguably need to strengthen is up front. Andy Carroll has impressed in recent weeks, scoring four in his last four, but no other striker has scored more than once in the Premier League this term.
After a disappointing summer window last time around, it is time for the club to show some ambition when it comes to recruitment.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
One player who may not necessarily be available, but the Hammers should monitor nonetheless in case Manchester City decide that a loan deal may be in his best interests is Kelechi Iheanacho, who clearly has a bright future ahead of him but also has a congested path to the first-team in front of him.
Previously, only Sergio Aguero stood ahead of him in the pecking order. And while earning first-team opportunities was already difficult enough – though he proved on several occasions that he had the class to already be considered to be the Argentinian’s understudy – the emergence of Gabriel Jesus has seemingly left him slightly further down the pecking order.
It would be understandable if Pep Guardiola wanted to keep him even if both of his other marquee forwards remain at the Etihad beyond the summer, but if the manager decided that a loan move to another Premier League club would benefit the Nigerian, the Hammers simply have to put themselves in the mix.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho’s record may not initially appear that impressive – he has scored 12 times in 41 league games for City – it must be remembered that he has started just 12 times so his strike-rate actually deserves plenty of praise.
And with the 20-year-old offering something completely different to Andy Carroll, there is perhaps the potential for the pair to form a brilliant partnership at the London Stadium. Few defences would be able to cope with the questions they would ask if they hit it off.
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It may well be that Iheanacho is one player that Guardiola is determined to keep hold of this summer, but if the door is left open for a loan move, West Ham simply have to be ones to offer the youngster the chance to prove how good he could become.
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