Villa increases interest in Iheanacho

Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho during a training session. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

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Staff reporter

Saturday 11 May 2024. 13:19

Aston Villa have reportedly made first contact with Kelechi Iheanacho amid growing speculation that he could leave new Championship winners Leicester in the off-season.

The Nigeria international has entered the final two months of his contract at the King Power Stadium and hinted last weekend that his time with the Foxes would be coming to an end.

Iheanacho has dropped down the pecking order since his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, making just four league appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side this year.

The 27-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Midlands rivals Villa, who are keen to replace Ollie Watkins.

To that end, Villans’ president of football operations, Monchi, is said to have met with Iheanacho’s representatives in Greece ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg clash with Olympiakos.

Iheanacho has scored just five goals in 23 appearances for his club this season, most of which have come from the bench as he played second fiddle to Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka.