Leicester City are keen to secure the future of striker Kelechi Iheanacho with his contract expiring in June.
It’s an important month for Leicester on and off the pitch as they aim to resolve issues regarding player transfers and contracts.
On the pitch, they face Ipswich Town on Monday night and the Tractor Boys can close the gap between them and the Foxes to just four points with victory.
Off the field, Enzo Maresca has several decisions to make. Although he remains keen on bolstering his squad, he also needs to decide the future of several players.
The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, Jannik Vestergaard, Marc Albrighton, Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho all see their contracts expire this year.
Although the departures of Praet and Albrighton are expected, the others have played a huge part in Maresca’s plans this term.
Vestergaard has been a colossal presence at the back, Ndidi has grown into his advanced midfield role, Vardy can still score at Championship level and Iheanacho was a regular starter before his injury.
The Nigerian sharpshooter scored five goals in 19 appearances, all of which came in a six-game glut between September and October.
After a previous injury scare, Iheanacho has now linked up with his Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations, however, his future at the King Power is still up in the air.
With his contract expiring in the summer and several Premier League clubs interested in snapping him up, Leicester need to make a decision.
According to the Daily Express, Maresca is determined to seal the future of the 27-year-old but given he’s keen to explore his options, getting him to sign a new deal could be a difficult ask.
Should Leicester City keep Kelechi Iheanacho?
Once hailed as “incredible” by former manager Brendan Rodgers, Iheanacho played an important role at the beginning of the season for Leicester but since Patson Daka and Tom Cannon emerged as genuine competition, his place in the side is no longer secure.
Daka plundered four goals and supplied two assists in seven appearances before departing for AFCON while Cannon has two goals in two starts.
Although Iheanacho will believe he’s a better option for Maresca than that duo, it’s difficult to rule out the possibility of him leaving.
The Nigerian may want a fresh start at another Premier League club instead of signing a new deal at the King Power.
Of course, losing him for free would be a bitter pill to swallow, but the Foxes do have enough cover in that area should he depart.