Reports are making the rounds towards Kelechi Iheanacho‘s potential return to the Premier League.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Crystal Palace are willing to pay between £10-15 million with add-ons for Iheanacho but negotiations for the deal are ‘stalling'.
❗️🆕 Kelechi Iheanacho: Understand that Crystal Palace is pushing for the 26 y/o striker and would be ready to pay between £10-15m all-in. @CPFC
➡️ Leicester City demands £18m
➡️ Negotiations are stalling but Iheanacho is keen on the move. @SkySportDE 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/b1CReWJZWZ— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 30, 2023
Palace and Wolves are two Premier League teams credited with an interest in the Nigerian forward, with latest reports giving an update on Palace’s pursuit of the striker.
However, Leicester City are demanding a fee of £18 million if they are to sell the former City player with a few days left until the end of the transfer window, this has stalled the progress of this deal despite the player himself being ‘keen’ on the move.
Iheanacho is a talented goal scorer and creator, and is seen as a possible solution to Crystal Palace offensive drought in the Premier League so far this campaign.
Since losing Wilfried Zaha after his contract expired at the end of last season, Palace has struggled in front of goal this campaign.
Roy Hodgson's side have scored just two goals in their opening three Premier League games, although they did fight back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Championship side Plymouth in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, the need to reinforce their attacking line is crucial if they're to survive a demanding league as the English top-flight.
£18m for Kelechi Iheanacho could be a steal
On how the transfer market has gone wild with exorbitant price tags on various players moving in and around Europe, £18m for Iheanacho looks more like a best deal of the transfer window if the Palace side can get him.
At 26 years old, the player has a good offensive record behind his belts, age on his side and good Premier League experience.
It's worth mentioning that Iheanacho has been with the Foxes since he joined from Man City in the summer of 2017.
He's made a total of 211 appearances for the Foxes, scored 56 goals and provided 35 assists.
Iheanacho has started the new season well for Leicester, he got a goal and an assist in his first start against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup, and was rewarded with three consecutive starts in the Championship.
In those three games, the forward helped his team to wins in each of those skirmishes and recently supplied the assist for the opening goal that was scored by Kasey McAteer in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Rotherham United.
However, he was an unused sub in Leicester's most recent 0-2 win in the Carabao Cup against Tranmere Rovers as speculation surrounding his move grew.
How Kelechi Iheanacho's move can happen
With just two days left before the transfer window shuts down, Palace will need to move fast if they are to land Iheanacho this summer in the next 48 hours.
According to sources, the move depends on if Palace sells Jean-Philippe Mateta to RB Leipzig.
The German side are one of several Bundesliga clubs interested in the services of Mateta who has acted, for the most part, as backup to Odsonne Edouard at Selhurst Park, with Borussia Dortmund also said to be interested in his signature.
Palace would need to raise money by selling the Frenchman before being able to acquire the Nigerian.
However, with Kelechi Iheanacho's contract set to expire next summer, Leicester are aware they may need to do a cut-price deal in this window to avoid losing him for nothing, which could potentially be of help to Palace who're currently cash trapped.
Whether the deal happens or not, Iheanacho has established himself as a first-team regular under Enzo Maresca, and is crucial to the team's goal of returning back to the Premier League next season.
It is important for the player to get playing time for his club as this will not only be helpful for Leicester's fight back to the Premier League, but also for the Nigerian Super Eagles.
The AFCON comes up in January and Nigeria needs his services in their quest to win the title for the fourth time in the Cote D'Ivoire continental showpiece.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
