Newcastle are still genuine contenders to sign Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho before the January transfer window shuts on Wednesday.
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has been left frustrated by the club’s inability to deliver a striker this month after failed moves for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen, and has only Chelsea loanee Kenedy show as his sole recruit.
But the Spaniard may yet have hope of bringing in a forward before the transfer deadline, with TeamTalk suggesting that Leicester boss Claude Puel is willing to allow Iheanacho to leave the King Power Stadium to gain first-team football.
The Nigerian international scored twice in the FA Cup 4th round rout at Peterborough, but has started just twice in the top-flight following a £25 million switch from Manchester City in the summer.
Benitez was keen to bring Iheanacho to St James’ Park but missed out to the Foxes and the Spaniard will be at the front of the queue again for the talented 21-year-old’s signature despite emerging interest from clubs all over Europe.
Sturridge’s snub on Monday, in favour of a loan move to West Brom, and the breakdown in talks with Feyenoord over Jorgensen has left Benitez in a precarious position with just 36 hours remaining in the window and Newcastle in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
