Aston Villa have reportedly held initial talks ahead of a summer transfer swoop for Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Nigeria international’s contract is set to expire in June and he’s yet to agree a new deal with the Foxes, opening up a free transfer option for several interested parties.
Villa are claimed to be keen on signing Iheanacho if he does indeed become available for nothing. The 27-year-old, who joined Leicester from Manchester City in 2017 for a fee of £25 million, has scored just six goals across all competitions this term but he’s mainly been utilised off the bench.
That’s been the story ever since Iheanacho joined the club as he has played second fiddle to Jamie Vardy. Patson Daka’s presence and the recent acquisitions of Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu haven’t helped, either.
Football Insider reports Iheanacho has rejected several new contract offers from Leicester as he wants a fresh challenge. It’s claimed Villa have been keeping tabs and are convinced enough to have already held preliminary talks with the player’s representatives.
Monchi, President of Football Operations at Villa, is said to have spoken with Iheanacho’s camp as recently as Thursday, May 9. The meeting reportedly took place in Greece before the Villans’ Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against Olympiacos.
Would Villa and Iheanacho be a good match?
Signing any experienced Premier League striker for free normally tends to be good business but Iheanacho will have to be content with being a squad player. Ollie Watkins is undoubtedly the first-choice forward at Villa Park, while hot prospect Jhon Duran is highly rated.
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