West Ham United are bidding to sign Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks with Kelechi Iheanacho
A representative of Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has told Own Goal Nigeria that he is likely to sign for West Ham United barring any late problems.
Iheanacho, 20, was one of the world’s hottest young talents before signing for Manchester City in 2014, and he made his Premier League debut in 2015, ending last season with 14 goals in 35 games in all competitions.
General view inside the London Stadium
The Nigerian talent struggled to feature under Pep Guardiola despite his huge potential, and ended up behind both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in City’s striking pecking order.
After notching seven goals in 28 games, with only eight of those coming as a starter, speculation now surrounds Iheanacho’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with a number of clubs no doubt prepared to hand him first-team football.
Over the weekend, the Daily Mail reported that West Ham submitted a bid for Iheanacho, with the striker returning from international duty on Saturday night in order to thrash out his future.
Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses in action with Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho
City allegedly want a buy-back clause inserted into the deal, meaning that there may still be some obstacles to overcome for West Ham, but they may now feel confident of sealing a deal for a top young striker.
Now, a representative of Iheanacho has told Own Goal Nigeria that talks with West Ham are ‘very advanced’, and he expects the striker to join the Hammers barring any last minute problems in the deal.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho shoots at goal
The representative also claimed that Iheanacho doesn’t want to leave England as he is closing in on UK citizenship, so a move to West Ham is currently looking ideal for him despite offers from abroad.
“Talks with West Ham are very advanced I must confess, and barring any last minute hiccup he will end up joining them,” said Iheanacho’s representative. “If not them then any other team in England but not outside England. He is not interested in a move away from England for now. He is two years away from getting his papers as a citizen, so moving away from England at this time is a non starter particularly as they are interested in him from England.”
”That said offers have come in from outside England, but his immediate priority is to stay in England, reasons why the offer from West Ham ticks the right box,” he added.
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