Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho is reportedly attracting interest from Aston Villa, as suggested by reports in the English media.
The Villans are aiming to bolster their squad depth in preparation for next season's campaign. Currently sitting 4th in the league standings with 67 points from 35 games, Aston Villa have their sights set on strengthening their roster, potentially with an eye towards competing in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Villa are keen to sign another forward option as a back-up to star striker Ollie Watkins, with Jhon Duran currently performing that role.
If the deal comes to fruition, Iheanacho would become the second Leicester City player to join Aston Villa in as many seasons, following Youri Tielemans, who they acquired on a free transfer from the Foxes last summer.
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.
Iheanacho reportedly rejects contract extension offer from Leicester
Football Insider reports that the 27-year-old has rejected Leicester's proposal for a contract renewal.
Iheanacho has faced a challenging season at Leicester, featuring in only 25 matches across all competitions and scoring six goals.
Five of these goals were scored in the Championship, a league that Leicester triumphantly won, securing their return to the Premier League.
Leicester sealed their promotion after Leeds United's 4-0 defeat to QPR at the end of last month. Subsequently, they clinched the league title by defeating Preston North End 3-0 on Monday 29 April.
Since the beginning of the year, Iheanacho has seen limited action under Enzo Maresca, partly due to his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, resulting in him missing several matches.
Aston Villa enter the fray: competing with Crystal Palace and Trabzonspor for Iheanacho's signature
Aston Villa will need to beat off competition from fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace and Turkish outfit Trabzonspor for Iheanacho's signature.
The Eagles' desire to improve upon their torrid season fuels their pursuit of the talented forward.
However, they face stiff competition not only from domestic rivals but also from international contenders vying for the Nigerian's signature.
Trabzonspor, on the other hand, represent an enticing proposition from the Turkish Super Lig. With ambitions of challenging for domestic supremacy and making a mark on the European stage, the club aims to leverage Iheanacho's goal-scoring prowess to propel them to greater heights.
Their financial muscle and strategic vision make them formidable competitors in the race for the Nigeria international.
Beyond Crystal Palace, Trabzonspor and Aston Villa, a host of other clubs across Europe and beyond are closely monitoring Iheanacho's situation, ready to pounce should an opportunity arise.
In the face of such competition, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Trabzonspor must present compelling offers that not only meet Iheanacho's sporting ambitions but also align with his personal and financial interests.
Negotiations are likely to intensify in the coming weeks as the three clubs vie for the forward's signature, with the outcome poised to shape their respective ambitions for the upcoming season.
Kelechi Iheanacho's impact: A look at his performance since joining Leicester
Iheanacho joined Leicester City in August 2017 on a reported five-year contract worth £25 million.
He made his debut in a match against Arsenal and scored his first goal in an EFL Cup tie against Leeds United.
The Super Eagles forward became the first player in English football to benefit from a Video Assistant Referee decision, scoring a goal against Fleetwood Town.
Initially not a regular starter, injuries to key players provided him with more opportunities, during which he scored an impressive 12 goals in 10 games.
Iheanacho achieved his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield United and scored vital goals in FA Cup matches, helping Leicester reach the semi-finals.
In March 2021, he was named Premier League Player of the Month. He subsequently extended his contract with Leicester until 2024 and continued his success, including scoring the only goal in an FA Cup semi-final win against Southampton, leading Leicester to their first FA Cup final since 1969.
During the 2021 FA Community Shield against Manchester City, the Nigeria international scored the winning goal from a penalty.
Iheanacho's exceptional performances earned him Leicester's Player of the Year award, despite the club's relegation from the Premier League that season.
