Aston Villa ‘plotting move’ for Everton target as Leicester City fate sealed

The Villans, delving into the striker market with current option Jhon Duran expected to leave for Chelsea in a £40 million deal, are weighing up a move for Kelechi Iheanacho.

An opportunity has surfaced as the Nigeria international hasn’t signed a new contract at Leicester and will become a free agent at the end of June. The Foxes have tried to convince Iheanacho to stay, but frustration due to a reduction in game time last term may have sealed his fate - at least in his mind - as all offers have been rejected.

Football Insider reports Villa are keeping tabs on Iheanacho’s situation and have already made contact with the player’s representatives. A meeting is said to have taken place in Greece before the Villans’ UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final defeat to Olympiacos, initiating discussions over a potential Villa Park switch.

There’s stern competition elsewhere in the Premier League, however, as Everton and Newcastle United have been linked over the past fortnight. It could end up being a three-team dogfight for Iheanacho’s signature, especially given how rare it is for a player of his calibre to become available for free.

Villa in particular must work smartly with transfer business this summer as they are walking a fine line with the Premier League’s strict profit and sustainability regulations (PSR). Duran being sold for a hefty fee will help - and as will Douglas Luiz’s swap deal to Juventus - but Unai Emery still has limited funds to work with.

Villa move for Iheanacho makes sense

Signing Iheanacho could be a very intelligent move as he wouldn’t cost a penny. The 27-year-old has scored 61 goals and contributed 34 assists in 232 appearances for Leicester since signing from Manchester City in 2017.

His best season was 2020/21 as he netted 12 goals in 25 Premier League appearances. His most recent was rather disappointing as he scored just five times in 23 Championship games but most minutes were off the bench.

Iheanacho would have to deal with reduced game time still as Ollie Watkins is clearly Villa’s first choice but Champions League football would open up opportunities. There would also likely be rotation, much like what was seen with Duran.