English Premier League outfit Everton have set their sights on bolstering their attacking lineup with Nigerian international forward Kelechi Iheanacho, claims Everton’s former chief, Keith Wyness.
The 66-year-old, who acted as CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and currently operates a football consultancy offering guidance to top-tier clubs, implied that Leicester City may prioritise stability but might see the 27-year-old depart to a competitor in the upcoming off-season.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Iheanacho had rejected a contract extension from the Foxes, indicating that he would exit when his contract runs out in the summer.
The Super Eagles forward endured a tumultuous season with Leicester, appearing in just 25 matches across various competitions and netting six goals.
Among these goals, five were achieved in the Championship, a division in which Leicester emerged victorious, securing their promotion to the Premier League.
Leicester sealed their promotion following Leeds United's 4-0 loss to QPR at the end of last month. Shortly after, they clinched the league title with a 3-0 victory over Preston North End on Monday 29 April.
Since the start of the year, Iheanacho has seen limited game time under Enzo Maresca, partly due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, resulting in his absence from several matches.
After the Foxes' final match of the season, Iheanacho all but confirmed his departure from the King Power Stadium as he was seen wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the inscription: “We’ve got history. When I’m gone, you gon’ miss me.”
Before joining the Foxes in 2017, Iheanacho had featured for Manchester City, where he made 46 appearances and scored 12 goals during his two-year spell.
With the Citizens. he won the Football League Cup in the 2015/16 season.
Former Everton chief Wyness provides insights on Iheanacho's future amid transfer speculation
Wyness offered insights into the potential reasons behind Iheanacho's recent actions, including wearing a provocative t-shirt after Leicester City's last match of the season.
He suggested that discussions about Iheanacho's future may already be underway behind the scenes, with both player and club possibly nearing an agreement.
The former Everton chief hinted at the possibility of Iheanacho attempting to leverage fan pressure to influence the decision-making process.
Wyness further emphasised that such gestures are seldom coincidental, often indicative of underlying negotiations.
He expressed confidence in Iheanacho's ability to thrive in the Premier League, citing Everton's reported interest in the Nigerian forward.
However, Wyness acknowledged Leicester City's desire for stability but noted that impasses in contract negotiations could impede any potential deals.
In his assessment, Wyness underscored the delicate balance between player aspirations and club interests in the transfer market.
“I would’ve thought it would be his agent that would’ve advised him on the t-shirt,” Wyness told Football Insider's Insider Track podcast.
“There will have been discussions about his future behind the scenes and both sides may be close.
“He could be trying to put fan pressure on the board.
“All these little things aren’t a coincidence, there is usually something going on behind the scenes.
“I think he can do a big job for Premier League sides, he’s someone I’d keep an eye on.
“I know Everton have been interested in him, and he’s got the ability to get a good move in the Premier League.”
“But for Leicester, they will want to keep as much stability as possible.
“However, if you can’t reach agreements, then nothing can get done.”
What other EPL clubs have expressed interest in Kelechi Iheanacho?
Reports suggest that besides Everton, two other English Premier League clubs have shown keen interest in acquiring the services of Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have emerged as potential suitors for the Leicester City man as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season.
Both clubs are reportedly impressed by Iheanacho's performances and goal-scoring prowess during his time at Leicester.
Crystal Palace, under the management of Oliver Glasner, are aiming to add more firepower to their attack to improve their offensive capabilities.
Similarly, Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, are looking to build a formidable squad and view Iheanacho as a valuable addition to their roster.
As the transfer window approaches, negotiations between Leicester City and the interested clubs are expected to intensify as they vie for Iheanacho's signature.
The Nigerian forward's future remains uncertain, but it is evident that his talents have not gone unnoticed by some of the Premier League's prominent teams.
Could Turkey be Iheanacho's next destination?
Reports suggest that Turkish powerhouse Trabzonspor are also eager to secure Iheanacho's services for the upcoming season, considering him as a potential replacement for his compatriot, Paul Onuachu.
As his contract with Leicester expires this summer, he becomes an enticing prospect for various clubs seeking to bolster their squads.
With the leeway of being available as a free agent, the likelihood of other clubs emerging as potential suitors for Iheanacho is high.
With interest brewing from multiple fronts, it remains to be seen which club will ultimately secure the signature of the talented Nigerian forward.
