Vasco da Gama have reportedly said no to the opportunity to sign Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer from Celtic.
Ihenacho’s Celtic contract has now expired, and we are yet to receive any news on an agreement being close for him to stay.
That’s despite the striker making a decisive impact in the season’s run-in, having spent much of the season in the background.
The 30-year-old’s agents have reportedly been trying to future-proof him by offering his name to the Rio de Janeiro giants.
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Vasco da Gama say no to Celtic hero Kelechi Iheanacho
Speaking on Atencao Vascainos, host Flavio Dias said: “Tonight I received information also received an offer from a Nigerian 29-year-old striker, a player from Celtic in Scotland: Kelechi Iheanacho.
“A Nigerian player who played for Sevilla, played for Manchester City, for Leicester…
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“A left-footed, experienced player who scores goals, currently playing for the Scottish champions.
“But there was a ‘no’ from the Vasco management and from Admar Lopes. These are offers that Vasco is saying no to.”
Earlier this week, Iheanacho dropped a major hint on his Celtic future by posting a picture of him and his teammates with the caption ‘my team’ on social media.
This certainly indicates a willingness to extend his stay, but up until now, there has been no news of constructive talks between him and the club.
What had initially been a stop-start debut season for Iheanacho ended with him as a fan favourite with five goals in his last eight games — all from the bench.
As Celtic won all of their seven last matches to deliver a Scottish Premiership that had once looked unlikely, Iheanacho played a vital part.
The team’s problems in the striker position necessitated this. Both Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu were brought in as reinforcements in the winter window, but neither had the desired impact.
But despite being brought in to little fanfare, Iheanacho has emerged as one of the team’s main characters.
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Kelechi Iheanacho loving life at Celtic
Speaking to Celtic TV last month, Iheanacho revealed “I think I always loved Celtic, to be fair. I’ve followed them over the years.
“Here’s a little secret: I have loved James Forrest for a long, long time.
“When he was playing for Celtic, that is one player that I love in a Celtic jersey as well.
“Obviously there’s a young player that played here, Efe Ambrose. But yeah, Forrest was a player I loved watching when playing for Celtic.
“So it’s been a club I’ve been following for years, and I love the football club as well. So I’m happy I’m a big part of it now. So let’s see how it goes.”
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