Having been an objective for Everton this summer, Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken out for the first time since the transfer window shut.
After scoring few goals in the Premier League last season, the Toffees were anxious to improve their attacking options. The forward from Leicester City, who appeared to be available after the Foxes were demoted to the Championship, was connected to them [Ignazio Genuardi, 27 July].
In the end, the Nigerian decided to stay at the King Power Stadium when the transfer window closed. Sean Dyche chose to sign Udinese striker Beto in his place, and Iheanacho has stated that his priority is to return the Foxes to the Premier League rather than what might have been.
I didn’t get to move, and I’m here today playing for Leicester City,” he said in a statement to BBC Radio Leicester on September 25. These conversations are usually challenging.
“When you only have a year or two left at the football club, there are rumors and conjecture that you want to leave and stay, among other things. Personally, I adore Leicester City; I’ve lived here for a while and it’s a great city and football team.
Iheanacho’s language in this interview makes it sound as though, as he claimed, he was considering leaving Leicester this summer. Since the forward said “I didn’t get to move” rather than “I didn’t want to move,” it may be assumed that he was eager to join the Toffees.
After last season’s problems, Everton needed to add goals to their lineup. Although Beto hasn’t exactly started out strong in terms of scoring goals, there have been enough encouraging signs from the Portuguese forward to offer supporters optimism that he can improve with time.
Partner the addition of Beto with the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dyche’s forward options suddenly look much healthier at Goodison Park and assuming they both get in amongst the goals there won’t be too many people rueing missing out on Iheanacho.
Furthermore, the former Manchester City striker is out of contract next summer at the King Power Stadium, so should the Toffees remain interested in signing the 26-year-old, they may well be able to draw him to Merseyside without spending a penny.
