By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 19, 2024

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho is set to leave Spanish La Liga side Sevilla in January following a disappointing six-month spell at the club, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria international, who joined from Leicester City last summer, has struggled to make an impact at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, finding himself behind Isaac Romero in the pecking order despite the Spaniard’s own poor form of just one goal in 14 league appearances.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Sevilla’s sporting director Victor Orta is already planning to sign a new striker in the winter transfer window, with Iheanacho identified as the player to be moved on.

The situation reached a critical point when manager Garcia Pimienta substituted Iheanacho at half-time in their recent match, opting instead to hand a debut to reserve team forward Álvaro Pascual.

The 27-year-old’s performance in that game drew criticism from the home crowd, with his inability to press effectively or influence play leading to what Spanish media described as “laughter from the stands” – considered the ultimate indignity for a player at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Despite Pimienta’s public defence of the striker in press conferences, sources close to the club indicate the manager has grown frustrated with Iheanacho’s contributions, viewing him as an unsuccessful replacement for former striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

The club is now exploring various options for Iheanacho’s departure, including a potential loan move or even contract termination, though the latter would impact their budget significantly.

Sevilla have already identified potential replacements, with FC Barcelona’s Ferran Jutglà emerging as García Pimienta’s preferred choice, while Brazilian forward Juninho Vieira is also under consideration.
Iheanacho’s struggles have extended to the international stage, where he was also substituted at half-time in his last appearance for the Super Eagles in their 2-1 loss to Rwanda.

The striker’s likely departure marks another unsuccessful forward signing for Sporting Director Orta, following the disappointing spells of Mariano Díaz and Alejo Véliz at the club.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 19, 2024

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