By Wale Mustapha
Kelechi Iheanacho could be set for a swift return to English football, with Championship clubs West Bromwich Albion and Watford both reportedly interested in signing the striker on loan in January.
The Nigerian forward joined Sevilla on a free transfer in the summer, following the end of his long-term spell at Leicester City.
However, Iheanacho has struggled to make an impact at the Spanish club, having made just seven appearances and scored only once in La Liga this season.
Despite his limited involvement, Iheanacho did find the net twice in Sevilla’s Copa del Rey victory over Las Rozas last month, showcasing his potential when given the opportunity.
With both West Brom and Watford closely monitoring his situation, the 28-year-old could be set to leave Sevilla on loan in the winter transfer window in search of regular first-team football.
The two English clubs are looking to strengthen their attacking options, with Iheanacho’s experience in the Premier League and his international pedigree with the Super Eagles making him an attractive option.
As the transfer window approaches, the battle for Iheanacho’s signature is expected to intensify, with both clubs keen to secure his services for the remainder of the season.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
