Man City struggle to sell expensive Iheanacho

Manchester City are reportedly struggling to sell their unwanted forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Premier League billionaires have told the  Super Eagles striker, alongside Eliaquim Mangala, 

Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph and Fernando,  that he    does  not fit  into Pep  Guardiola’s plans for the new season.

Iheanacho, who was omitted  from Man City’s preseason tour of the United States, dropped down the pecking order at the Eithad Stadium following the arrival of  Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras  in January on a five-year deal reportedly worth £27m.

Despite having limited playing time, Iheanacho notched four Premier league  goals in 20 appearances for the Citizens last season.

Although the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner has been given  the all-clear to leave the club this summer, our  correspondent learnt  that  the Nigerian, who joined Man City from Taye Academy in 2014,   is  allegedly proving  difficult to sell so far.

Iheanacho has been linked with a £25m move to  Premier League mid-table outfits West Ham, West Brom and Leicester but  no switch has materialised as the 20-year-old  remains a Man City player.

It was learnt that suitors are not comfortable with  Man City’s insistence on  inserting a clause giving them first option on buying him back if he proves a success.

Our correspondent also learnt that the mid-table clubs are stunned by Iheanacho’s reported £85,000-a-week pay.

Leicester are said to be ready to splash out £25m  on the player  but are finding it hard to convince the youngster to accept a wage cut to seal a move to the Power Stadium, where he Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare has allegedly guaranteed him regular   starting roles.

Guardiola, who confirmed  that the club had placed a buy back clause in Iheanacho’s proposed transfer,  said on Wednesday the  deal would be completed in 10 days.

“It is an honour to work with him (Iheanacho)  because it was not easy for him because I did not give him much opportunities,”  the former Barca boss told reporters ahead of  his side’s clash against city rivals Manchester United in Houston on Thursday (Friday in Nigeria) .

“His behaviour, I’ve never seen a guy like him (before).

“He is close to making a deal. Maybe next week or the next 10 days .

“We have an option to bring him back.

“He’s a young player and we believe he deserves to play. He needs to play at that age and that’s why him, the club and everybody, wants the best for him.”