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Has Leicester’s quickfire double departure just ended Newcastle’s hopes of signing Kelechi Iheanacho?

Newcastle United's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea a...
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Newcastle United were linked with a move for the Leicester City striker at the weekend.

Newcastle United's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in...

Newcastle United have already missed out on deals for Daniel Sturridge and Nicolai Jorgensen this week and striker target may also be out of the Magpies’ grasp, as of Tuesday morning.

The Daily Mirror reported on Saturday that Newcastle had identified Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho as an alternative to Jorgensen.

The newspaper even claimed Iheanacho was keen to leave Leicester ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline, despite having only arrived at the King Power Stadium for £25 million last summer.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City celebrates scoring his side's third goal with Demarai Gray during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Peterborough United and Leicester City...

The Nigerian’s exit is looking increasingly unlikely, however, after a second Leicester striker headed out the door this week.

The Foxes trimmed their forward options to five in allowing Leo Ulloa to rejoin Brighton on Sunday, and find themselves another body lighter after Ahmed Musa’s exit – to his former club, CSKA Moscow – less than 48 hours later.

That leaves just Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani – who has also been tipped to depart Leicester, with Newcastle said to be among those keen – as Iheanacho’s rivals for a shirt.

Leicester City's Algerian striker Islam Slimani (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Leicester...

And after repaying Claude Puel’s faith with a couple of goals in Saturday’s win against Peterborough United, it’s unlikely that Iheanacho – if anyone – will be next on the Frenchman’s out list.

Where do Newcastle turn now?