Iheanacho poised for a move to Celtic as a free agent after Sevilla terminate his contract

KELECHI Iheanacho could be on the verge of joining Scottish giants Celtic on a free transfer after his Spanish club Sevilla terminated his contract making him an unattached agent at liberty to join any club seeking his services.

Iheanacho, 28, who has vast experience of the English game having played for the likes of Manchester City, Leicester City and Middlesboro, moved to Seville on a free transfer last year. However, he has been deemed surplus to requirements at Sevilla and having failed to secure a move during the recent transfer window, the club has decided to release him.

Originally, Iheanacho was contracted to stay at Sevilla until the end of the season but with his game limited under new manager Matías Almeyda, his stint in Andalusia has ended just 14 months. Iheanacho made 11 appearances in Sevilla colours, scoring three goals, before being loaned to Middlesbrough in January.

His time on Teesside was modest too, scoring just one goal and providing two assists in 15 Championship games. Back in Sevilla at the end of the season this summer, he found himself frozen out, failing to make Almeyda’s squad for the opening three La Liga fixtures, which made a parting of ways inevitable.

Iheanacho, capped more than 50 times for Nigeria, is said to be on the radar of Celtic, who are understood to be leading the chase for his signature. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be keen on a reunion with the player who he coached when they were together at Leicester in the English Premier League.

Celtic, the Scottish champions, who crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers to Kairat Almaty last month, are looking to reinforce their frontline ahead of the Europa League campaign. Iheanacho’s availability outside the transfer window hands them breathing space to complete the deal without deadline-day pressure.

For Iheanacho, the move would hand him another chance to revive a career that once promised so much. A precocious talent at Manchester City, he struggled to establish himself in the side but showed flashes of brilliance at Leicester, scoring crucial goals during their FA Cup-winning run in 2021.