LONDON – By Omobolaji Oyegunle
Ahead of 2017-2018 season, Super Eagles and Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is wanted by West Ham United to boost their attack.
The Hammers are prioritising attacking players this summer and are also weighing up a move for Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi and retain an interest in Jermain Defoe, who they tried to sign for £6million in January’
West Ham are again without injured forwards Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Michail Antonio for their final Premier League match of the season.
Without Carroll and Sakho for a significant chunk of the campaign, manager Slaven Bilic has struggled on with Jonathan Calleri and Andrew Ayew up front but now needs to add real quality to his front line.
Nigeria international Iheanacho is under contract until 2021 but City are prepared to listen to offers of around £20million to help finance their spending plans for the summer.
Iheanach’s oppurnities at City have been limited under Pep Guuardiola’s and although he has made 19 top-flight appearances for City this season, he has started only five matches.
He has scored four League goals and made three assists, despite completing only one full game.
The previous campaign, when Manuel Pellegrini was in charge, wasmore fruitful, with the striker scoring 14 goals in 35 games.
Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund are also reported to be interested in Iheanacho, with the added incentive of being able to offer Champions League football.