Monchi in Aston Villa talks to sign Kelechi Iheanacho amid Leicester City exit update
Kelechi Iheanancho would be a squad player at best at Aston Villa and would not be an upgrade on the exit-linked Jhon Duran, Alan Hutton has said.
It was reported by Football Insider (16 June) that Villa are keeping tabs on Nigeria striker Iheanacho, with the 27-year-old ready to leave Leicester City when his contract expires this week. Monchi is already said to have held talks with Iheanacho’s representatives [Football Insider].
At the same time, Villa are facing the prospect of losing 20-year-old Colombia international Duran with the Guardian (13 June) reporting that Chelsea are allowed to discuss personal terms but are hesitating over a reported £40million price tag.
Former Villan Hutton, speaking exclusively to Villa News, thinks that the club should be aiming higher than Iheanacho.
“I feel like they will (aim for a higher target),” he said.
“I mean we’re talking about a Champions League team here. You know I like Duran, I just don’t think that’s an upgrade if I’m honest.
“It’s probably an option where you’re thinking look he might be happy to come in and be a squad player, be in and out when we need him, maybe play in the cup games.
“I don’t think he’s ever going to take Watkins’ place or really push him that much unless they’ve got someone else they’re going to bring in to lighten the load, because Watkins for me is number one there’s no getting away from that.
“You need somebody else you can’t go through a full campaign as well as Europe just having one striker.”
Will Aston Villa sign Kelechi Iheanacho?
Villa are about to embark on a Champions League campaign, so there is no doubt Emery will be looking to flesh out his squad to deal with the rigours of mixing Premier League football with Europe’s premier competition.
The difficulty when it comes to the striker position is that Watkins is, rightly, untouchable in terms of that starting berth so convincing someone to act as second fiddles isn’t an easy task.
Which is why Iheanacho might represent a tempting squad option, someone who can fill in when Watkins needs a rest and also has good experience in the top flight.
Having said that, Hutton is right that he probably doesn’t represent an upgrade on Duran and other options might be available who make more sense long term.
In other Aston Villa news, a medical verdict has emerged in the club’s pursuit of Tammy Abraham.
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