Kelechi Iheanacho has been brilliant in the limited opportunities he received (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester City are willing to offload Kelechi Iheanacho in order to fund a move for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard.
The report claims that the Foxes are willing to listen to offers close to £20m for Iheanacho, who joined them from Manchester City in 2017. Manager Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for a potential long-term successor for their star striker Jamie Vardy and has identified Celtic finisher, Odsonne Edouard, as a suitable candidate. (h/t Daily Mail)
Edouard, meanwhile, enjoyed a sensational 2019/20 season, finishing as the top-scorer in the Scottish Premiership with 21 goals from 27 matches. His impressive form in front of goal was key to Celtic’s ninth successive league title triumph.
However, Edouard, who recently was named Scotland’s player of the year, is valued around £35 million and Rodgers’ Foxes are in need of money to fund his move to King Power Stadium. (h/t Daily Mail)
Iheanacho, on the other hand, has put up his best-ever performance for Leicester since his move three years ago. He has racked up eight goals and four assists in just 18 appearances this term, giving a clear indication of his talent.
The 23-year-old has mostly played as backup to Vardy and had done so this season also. However, his performances have improved drastically, especially considering his year-long goal drought between September 2018 and September 2019.
With Iheanacho proving his potential and improving his goal-scoring skills with time, it would be a foolish decision of City to let go of their striker. Also, Vardy turned 33 last January and is entering the twilight of his career, meaning losing Iheanacho would deplete the depth in the centre-forward department, even if they secure a long-term replacement for Vardy.
Apart from the two of them, Leicester do not have any other striker in their ranks. They have Ayoze Perez but he is more of a second striker and not an outright striker like Vardy or Iheanacho.
Considering all this, it would be safe for the Foxes to keep the Iheanacho by their side.
Leicester clearly do not have much depth in their striker’s department. And losing Iheanacho at a point where he finally seems to have found form would be unwise. They should rather keep more faith in him and offer him more chances in the future. Leicester can save a lot of time and money by keeping the young Nigerian in their midst.
