Kelechi Iheanacho is reportedly hoping to stay at Celtic this season.
Earlier this week, it was claimed in Brazil that Iheanacho had been offered to Vasco da Gama by his agent, though the club had said no.
This was seemingly in contradiction with Iheanacho’s Celtic-supporting Instagram post earlier in the week, which proudly referred to the Hoops as ‘[His] team’.
Reports in Scotland insist that the striker wants to stay, though there is one major issue.
Should Celtic hand Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract?
Kelechi Iheanacho wants to stay at Celtic
Mark Hendry of CeltsAreHere reports that Celtic are yet to put an offer on the table for an extension for Iheanacho, despite his willingness to stay.
It’s a situation reminiscent of that of Marcelo Saracchi — only that it’s even more straightforward, given that no third party is involved.
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Iheanacho was brought in through the back door after the closure of the transfer window as a player with a pre-existing relationship with then-manager Brendan Rodgers.
What had initially been a stop-start debut season for the striker ended with him as a fan favourite with five goals in his last eight games — all from the bench.
This impact was made under Martin O’Neill, who has since agreed a deal to remain as permanent manager.
You would, in theory, assume that O’Neill wants to keep Iheanacho, for reasons beyond just his run-in form.
In a summer where plenty of change is expected in the playing squad, familiarity will be important in ensuring that the transition into next season isn’t too rough.
In Iheanacho, Celtic have an open goal. A fan favourite and experienced goalscorer who has proven himself to be a big-game player.
👀 A reasonable figure?
Martin O’Neill on keeping Kelechi Iheanacho at Celtic
Speaking at the start of May, O’Neill indicated that he would be in favour of Iheanacho staying.
He said: “I think that the fitness element is the most important thing, and I think you have to go and prove that you’re fit, and the only way to prove it is on the field of play.
“If the club were to keep him, then it’s really to do with a proper pre-season for him. A real proper pre-season.
“I think he arrived at the last moment, didn’t he, here? So he would have to do it, and I think that he would benefit greatly from that there, where you’re getting three or four weeks’ work into him before the season started — which I think he needs, obviously.
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