Everton must now push to sign Leicester City Kelechi Iheanacho, ‘cut-price’ transfer deal available as news emerge
Everton manager Sean Dyche is crying out for reinforcements in attack and after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s latest injury blow, a smart transfer business opportunity has emerged in Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheancho.
Foot 365 journalist Ignazio Genuardi reported on 27 July that the Toffees hold an interest in the former Manchester City striker, while BBC Sport shared on 29 July that Everton’s interest in Iheanacho was only a “mild” one.
However, after the cheek-bone injury (21 August) suffered by key striker Calvert-Lewin in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday (20 August), that mild interest could now be turned into a firm one following a new report on the Nigerian international’s future.
According to The Evening Standard reporting on 22 August, while the Foxes do not want to let him go, he will be available at a cut-price deal this summer.
With his contract at the King Power running out at the end of the campaign, and his unwillingness to sign a new deal, he would be open to a move back to the Premier League, with Crystal Palace also interested should they lose former Toffees-target Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Toffees’ need for goals have been made abundantly clear once again after their disappointing start to the season, failing to score a goal in their two games while missing gaping goalscoring chances, especially against Fulham on the opening day.
Everton fans certainly don’t need a reminder of where they could be heading come May if they don’t address those glaring concerns and a perfect “cut-price” opportunity has been presented to them in a player who is not only desperate to make his mark in the English top-flight again, but is known for his consistent goalscoring when his team needs it most.
Ihenacho is in the 90th or higher percentile for assists, non-penalty expected goals and assists, shot-creating actions, successful take-ons and expected goals and assists. His assists stat particularly stands out as the Nigerian falls in the top 98% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues [FBRef].
Some will look at his record at Leicester City and turn their nose up, 55 goals in 206 appearances is by no means, particularly prolific, but his time in Manchester shows he can have a consistent eye for a goal where he managed to find the net 21 times in 64 appearances with most of those coming from the bench.
However, there is a case to argue that Iheanacho’s record could be considerably be better if he were handed the opportunities his talents crave, after having to sit on the bench and play bit-part roles at both Manchester City and Leicester.
At Everton, the Nigerian hitman will be guaranteed opportunities to start but also possess the much-needed traits of scoring goals when Dyche and Everton desperately need it. If he’s available on a cut-price deal, should Everton do all they can to take advantage?
In other Everton news, the Toffees have made contact to sign one Tottenham defender, but face Premier League competition for his signature.