Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho will complete a move to West Ham United “barring any last minute hiccup”, his agent has confirmed.
The Nigerian international broke into the first-team picture at the Etihad Stadium during the 2015/16 season as he scored 14 goals in 35 games across all competitions, but found opportunities rather limited this year following the appointment of Pep Guardiola.
As a result, he’s been heavily linked with a switch to the London Stadium this summer in a bid to receive more playing time ahead of next year’s World Cup and after reports of a £20m bid surfaced over the weekend, it would appear a deal is close to completion.
“Talks with West Ham are very advanced I must confess and barring any last minute hiccup he will end up joining them,” Iheanacho’s agent is quoted by Own Goal Nigeria.
“If not them then any other team in England but not outside England.
“He is not interested in a move away from England for now. He is two years away from getting his papers as a citizen, so moving away from England at this time is a non-starter particularly as they are interested in him from England.
“That said offers have come in from outside England, but his immediate priority is to stay in England, reasons why the offer from West Ham ticks the right box.”
Should the Hammers land the 20-year-old then he would be reunited with Pablo Zabaleta, who joined on a free transfer after his release from City, and the pair have developed a close relationship over the past two seasons, with the Argentine acting as a mentor to the young striker.
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