Leicester speed up £20m move for Iheanacho

Leicester are trying to move swiftly for Kelechi Iheanacho to shake off rival Premier League interest in the striker. Man City boss Pep Guardiola is willing to offload Iheanacho this summer as part of his Etihad rebuild.

The Nigerian international,20, is wanted by Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare despite interest from Southampton and West Ham too.

Shakespeare has already brought in Harry Maguire from relegated Hull and now ready to bid £20million to get Iheanacho too.

Bookmakers have reported a flurry of bets on Leicester City signing Manchester City’s £20million striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

According to Leicester Mercury, more than 77 per cent of all bets placed on the 20-year-old striker’s new club after the summer transfer window have gone on a King Power Stadium move.

City and West Ham are both known to have an interest in signing Iheanacho, who is surplus to requirements at Manchester City.

They already have Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus and are looking for another experienced proven goalscorer, with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez their top target.

A spokesman for website Oddschecker, which compiles odds for many bookmakers, said: “The move to Leicester City was as long as 25/1 a fortnight ago but as talk surrounding Iheanacho’s future steps up, it seems punters are keen to get on whilst they can.

“A huge £120 bet on the Man City striker to join the Foxes was placed overnight.”

Ironically, overnight the odds have also shortened on Iheanacho moving to Southampton which has come in from 20/1 to 6/1.