Aston Villa are considering a swoop for Leicester City star Kelechi Ihenacho
Premier League dark horses Aston Villa are eyeing a swoop for Aston Villa star Kelechi Iheanacho in the upcoming 2024 January transfer window. According to Fichajes, the 27-year-old is one of the strikers on the Villans’ radar.
The Midlands side have gotten off to an excellent start this season and find themselves in the conversation for a title run as we near Christmas. Unai Emery’s men show no signs of slowing down and have already scalped Manchester City and Arsenal at Villa Park.
A major reason for Villa’s success this season has been the balance to their roster thanks to an impressive 2023 summer transfer window. Repeating the trick in January could give the Villans a second wind when it comes to keeping up the level of performance in the second half of the season.
One position that needs reinforcing is upfront where Ollie Watkins is the lone reliable specialist striker in the Villa squad. The Englishman cannot be expected to play 90 minutes every week, lest fatigue set I’m. With the Euros are also set to take place next summer, Villa will be keen to not let their star man suffer burnout.
Jhon Duran makes up the numbers in Emery’s squad but does not appear to have the Spaniard’s trust. With him expected to leave the club in January, Villa have now turned their attention to Kelechi Ihenacho.
The former Manchester City man has impressed for EFL Championship giants Leicester City and is currently aiding their efforts to secure promotion to the Premier League. He is, however, far from a first choice at the King Power and could be considered expendable should the right offer come in.
This is further reinforced by the fact that the Nigerian is currently in the final year of his contract with the Foxes. Leicester could risk losing him for free next summer should an exit fail to materialise in January. The onus should now be on Villa to make an offer that the Championship leaders cannot refuse.
At 27, Ihenacho is in his prime and is used to donning the role of a backup striker. He could fit very well into Emery’splans and could give Villa the option they rave off the bench heading into 2024.
