Transfer deadline day: Crystal Palace backs out of their agreement to sign Leicester City’s Iheanacho
Following Leicester City’s relegation from the English top flight last season, Kelechi Iheanacho has been continuously linked to a return to the Premier League this summer. According to Soccernet.ng, Crystal Palace has reportedly given up on signing Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho, a player for Leicester City, before today’s deadline.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked to a return to the Premier League for the summer, as reports surfaced a few days ago indicating Crystal Palace’s sincere interest in the Nigerian forward.
The report clarified that the Eagles’ pursuit of Iheanacho is contingent upon the sale of Jean Phillipe Mateta to RB Leipzig. The London team intends to utilize the proceeds from Mateta’s departure to fund Iheanacho’s transfer.
Another report that surfaced yesterday stated that Palace is almost ready to match the £18 million that Leicester is seeking from any prospective buyer who is serious about acquiring the Nigerian forward.
However, according to the Evening Standard, Palace will keep Jean-Phillipe Mateta after he scored a hat-trick away at Plymouth in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, lasting 22 minutes.
The Eagles are prepared to talk to Mateta about extending his contract, which is set to expire in 2026.
The Nigerian international will no longer be pursued by Palace in favor of a more adaptable forward option.
Iheanacho’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2020, so if he doesn’t sign with another team before today, the Foxes may lose the former Manchester City forward on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign.
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