Leicester to release Iheanacho after 19 minutes of playing time

Leicester City are reportedly willing to let Kelechi Iheanacho leave in the January transfer window, after playing just 19 minutes of football during 2019-20 – and Newcastle United have got to consider a move for the striker.

The Guardian of London has claimed that Leicester City are going to have a clear out in the winter window, allowing £25million signing Iheanacho to leave the club on loan until the end of the season.

Since leaving Manchester City, where Iheanacho scored 21 goals in 64 league and cup outings, the Nigeria international has struggled at Leicester. Indeed, Jamie Vardy’s stunning form has kept him out of the side.

Iheanacho, 23, has only managed to appear on the bench three times in the league. He came on for 19 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Luton Town, scoring in the 4-0 win. But that is the only time we have seen him this term.

Leicester have little options upfront, other than Vardy and Iheanacho. Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes are preferred out wide, but the duo can do a job upfront. Spanish star Perez scored 13 goals last season for Newcastle.

Since Perez and indeed Salomon Rondon left Newcastle, The Toon have struggled to hit the back of the net – scoring only five Premier League goals this season. Joelinton is struggling since his £40million move from Hoffenheim.

The Brazilian has scored only one goal, a winner against Tottenham. Miguel Almiron is still yet to score for Newcastle, while Andy Carroll can hardly last more than 30 minutes as he tiptoes back to full fitness.

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Newcastle needs a proven Premier League goalscorer in January and they will have strong connections with Leicester following the Perez deal. The Toon must consider Iheanacho on loan, to add cover out wide an upfront.