Festus Abu
Kelechi Iheanacho looks set to stay at Manchester City amid growing interest from Premier League mid-table clubs West Ham, Everton, Swansea City, Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
The Super Eagles forward struggled to find consistent minutes at the Etihad Stadium last season as the arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus pushed him out of the spotlight, with the Citizens manager Pep Guardiola preferring his partnership with Sergio Aguero up front.
Iheanacho, 20, started only five Premier League games in 20 appearances — scoring four goals.
His failure to make any meaningful impact as Man City struggled to a third-place finish in the Premier League – and Guardiola’s reported move to sign either wantaway Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Monaco hotshot Kylian Mbappe during the summer transfer market – has left a dark cloud hanging over Iheanacho’s future at the club.
The Citizens are said to be ready to offload their Nigerian import to make room for a new striker signing this summer, but the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner, whose contract at the Etihad side expires in 2021, is said to have told the club that he would stay and fight for his place in Guardiola’s side.
Following West Ham’s inability to convince Iheanacho, who Man City value at £20m, to move to East London, Crystal Palace, Everton, Swansea and Leicester have been linked with the player ever since.
But family sources told our correspondent that the former Taye Academy star would only leave the Premier League giants for a big club.
Sources revealed that the player, who earns a reported £85,000 per week at Man City, is not ready to take a wage cut as the clubs who have shown an interest in his services are not in a position to match what he earns at the Eithad outfit.
Former Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu, who is close to the player and his family, also confirmed that Iheanacho won’t leave the Citizens in the summer.
“I met his brother in Owerri and he told me that the reports that Iheanacho will move to another club to enable him to get playing time are not true,” the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner told our correspondent on the telephone.
“I’m sure the player will stay at Man City to fight for his place next season.
“He’s a good player, but I think the coach is playing him out of position.
“If the coach allows him to play as a support striker or as a midfielder, he will get best out of him.”
Meanwhile, Iheanacho said last month he had no intention to quit Man City in the summer, saying he was already preparing for next season.
“I’m happy to stay at Manchester City and keep fighting to help them achieve what they want to achieve. Manchester City is a big team and we need to go far as a squad, so we need everybody,” he told the club’s official website.
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