CITY Why Guardiola could regret Kelechi’s exit
KELECHI Iheanacho could be a name that comes back to haunt Pep Guardiola one day.
The 20-year-old Nigerian striker is thought to be close to completing a transfer to Leicester City for a fee of around £25m.
The price tag is hardly a dent in today’s market value. But for £25m, a player of Iheanacho’s ability and age could prove to be a steal in this transfer window.
Guardiola wants to create a dynasty at City. The Blues boss is in the process of rebuilding an ageing squad by bringing exciting young talent to the Etihad.
But some City fans will be raising their eyebrows at the thought of Iheanacho leaving this summer.
Guardiola has Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero to lead City’s strike force, as well as the possible addition of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez to add even more attacking talent to the mix.
The future of Wilfried Bony remains uncertain – and unless a buyer is found he will be expected back for pre-season. His City career has struggled to lift off, falling short of the superb goal-scoring form he once had at Swansea.
Iheanacho offers Guardiola a real alternative – an ambitious and exciting youth academy product ready to rise to the occasion.
It could be the spark that Guardiola is looking for in his team – and he could be part of the future of City’s forwards.
Guardiola only needs to look across the city to see how Marcus Rashford has lit up the United squad.
Rashford is the boy wonder for United fans. He’s a living, breathing symbol that the youth academy is a staple of United’s philosophy.
And there’s a more likely chance of Mourinho leaving United before Rashford is allowed to move to another Premier League club.
Guardiola previously expressed his desire to see City’s youth playing a central role at the club. But some would argue it will be a step in the other direction if Iheanacho leaves.
With the Nigerian, perhaps Guardiola’s most feasible solution would have been a seasonlong loan – as that would have allowed him to gain valuable first-team experience and minutes on the pitch in the Pre- mier League.
But if City are ready to let a promising player leave, the club needs to fight tooth and nail to include Adnan Riaz a buy back clause or a sell-on fee in his transfer. Iheanacho could be the best buy of the transfer window for Leicester City. And Guardiola will have to hope that he doesn’t one day come to regret his departure.