Kelechi Iheanacho to Leeds United: Graham Smyth responds to what he’s heard
Graham Smyth has responded to the latest Leeds United transfer rumours regarding Kelechi Iheanacho, suggesting a deal looks unlikely.
The ex-Manchester City and Leicester City forward has been touted with a move to Elland Road in the winter transfer window [SCORENigeria].
Middlesbrough man Emmanuel Latte Lath is also on Daniel Farke’s radar but, as things stand, is more likely to complete a switch to MLS outfit Atalanta United [Ben Jacobs].
However, Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Smyth responded directly to the rumours of Iheanacho on the Inside Elland Road podcast (25 January, 1:01:51).
He said: “It doesn’t make a lot of sense, this one. As far as links go, there’s been lots of links in January. There always is and some of them you think ‘that doesn’t get me up out of my armchair’.
“Wages, for one. How his season has gone, for another. The fact that Leeds are monitoring Patrick Bamford to see if they need a striker. But we know that [Daniel] Farke is happy with [Joel] Piroe and [Mateo] Joseph as a one-two right now.”
Leeds United will not sign Kelechi Iheanacho
Farke is right not to pursue a move for Iheanacho.
The 28-year-old has started only five LaLiga matches at Sevilla after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Leicester.
That is twice the Nigerian has been deemed not good enough for the Premier League after reigning English champions Manchester City offloaded the forward to the Foxes in 2017.
Iheanacho has only hit a double-digit goal return once throughout his career in the 2020/21 campaign.
Although he has won the FA Cup and Championship titles for the Foxes, he is not a prolific goalscorer and does not significantly upgrade the attacking options already on display at Elland Road.
Piroe remains in the running for the Golden Boot with 10 goals, only two goals away from Iheanacho’s highest-ever return and three years younger – a move for the Nigerian would be a backwards step.
The Whites are well-positioned to secure a long-awaited return to the Premier League and should thus hold off on incoming transfer activity until their status is confirmed.
It would be pointless to sign a well-known Premier League flop should Farke find himself in the top flight next term.
In other Leeds news, Neil Warnock made a claim about the Whites and Burnley after Sheffield United lose.
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