English Premier League side Aston Villa are set to reignite their interest in Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho as they continue to bolster their squad for the new season according to reports in England.
Iheanacho, who is currently a free agent after his contract expired at Leicester City, was previously on the radar of several clubs, including West Ham United and Aston Villa. However, those interests had cooled off for a while.
Villa are looking to reinforce their squad following the departures of Moussa Diaby, Philippe Coutinho, Douglas Luiz, Calum Chambers, and youngster Tim Iroegbunam this summer.
Aston Villa look to shore up attack with Iheanacho capture
The club's management has now cast their eyes on the Super Eagles striker once again after reports emerged that Jhon Duran might be on the move, with West Ham and Chelsea reportedly interested in him.
Villa are also keen to retain their star striker Ollie Watkins while seeking to add more firepower to their front line ahead of the season.
If a good offer comes for Duran, part of their plan is to replace him with an experienced Premier League campaigner, a profile that suits Iheanacho perfectly.
Kelechi Iheanacho spent his formative years with Manchester City, where he played 64 games in all competitions. During his time at City, he scored 21 goals and provided seven assists before making the move to Leicester City.
At Leicester, Iheanacho spent seven years, playing 232 games, scoring 61 goals, and providing 34 assists. Despite helping the team return to the Premier League after their relegation in the 2022/23 season, Leicester did not offer the 27-year-old a new contract.
Kelechi Iheanacho to be back-up for Ollie Watkins
With Villa’s renewed interest in the forward, Iheanacho hopes to return to the Premier League, a destination he has publicly declared he prefers despite interests from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Iheanacho’s proven track record in the Premier League and his experience make him an attractive option for Aston Villa as they aim to strengthen their squad and compete at a higher level in the upcoming season.
