Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has been linked with a move to West Ham United before the end of the transfer window later tonight.
Amid links of a potential exit away from the King Power Stadium, Iheanacho was an unused substitute in his side’s 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.
West Ham United deliberating whether to push for deadline day move for Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Deals for Youssef En-Nesyri and Hugo Ekitike still on the table, but with time running out an approach for the Leicester striker may be imminent.
⚒️🦊 pic.twitter.com/Aue5Qi0Sus— westhamonline (@westhamonline5) September 1, 2023
Iheanacho, who has also been linked with a switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace, is currently in the last year of his contract, and it would be no surprise if Leicester decided to cash in now to avoid losing him for free next summer.
A return to the Premier League would be a step in the right direction for Iheanacho, as the striker will want to keep playing at a high level in his prime years.
Why are West Ham chasing Kelechi Iheanacho
West Ham’s interest in Iheanacho is hardly far-fetched given that they have been in the market for a new striker since parting ways with Gianluca Scammaca.
West Ham have been credited with an interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Hugo Ekitike and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, but with time running out, the Hammers could be forced to turn their attention to Iheanacho.
Since his debut in 2015, Iheanacho has scored 42 Premier League goals, with just under a third of them coming in the 2020–21 season, where he netted a personal-best 19 times across all competitions.
A transfer fee of around €20 million should be enough to convince Leicester to sell Iheanacho, and West Ham are expected to have no problems paying that given the hefty €116 million windfall received from Declan Rice’s sale earlier in the window.
Is Iheanacho better than Antonio?
As rumours of Iheanacho moving to West Ham continue to gather pace, West Ham fans will be left wondering if the 26-year-old would be an upgrade on their current striker, Michail Antonio.
Well, for starters, Iheanacho is seven years younger than Antonio, which means that he has more to give in the long run.
Also, Iheanacho’s best season saw him net 12 Premier League goals, something that Antonio has never managed in his eight full campaigns in the English top-flight.
While Antonio is more adept in his defensive contribution to the team from up front, Iheanacho trumps him on almost every other facet of attacking play and would represent a very good addition for West Ham.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
