Sign up to FREE email alerts from Football London - West Ham Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Reports circulated last night that West Ham had made significant progress in their chase for in-demand Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

The two clubs had stalled on a deal over the buy-back clause for the Nigerian striker but City and the Hammers have apparently reached a compromise of £38m as the buy-back figure.

Iheanacho has said he doesn't want to leave the club but City say if the right offer comes in for him, he'll go. West Ham, Leicester City and Crystal Palace have all be linked with making moves in recent weeks.

We spoke to James Robson, Man City editor of our sister he Manchester Evening News and he gave us the lowdown on what Iheanacho could well bring to the Hammers if he is in claret and blue next season.

Do you think Kelechi moving to West Ham could happen?

City are prepared to sell - which removes a considerable hurdle.

They value him at £25m and given that he only signed a new contract last summer, they are in a strong bargaining position.

That said, they are also keen to clear the decks ahead of a transfer spend of as much as £300m.

Iheanacho is one of a host of players City are looking to cash in on.

(Image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

What's gone wrong for him at City, is it simply the emergence of Gabriel Jesus?

Jesus hasn't helped, but there were clear signs he didn't fit into Guardiola's plans even before then.

There was a period in the first half of the season when Nolito was even played ahead of him.

Considering Guardiola has even found issues with Sergio Aguero's game, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that he's not been convinced by Iheanacho.

I'd say his main problem is that he's an out and out goal-scorer. For some managers that's more than enough - but Guardiola sees that as only one part of what makes his ideal striker.

Iheanacho is a poacher - Guardiola wants more than that.

What do City fans think about the prospect of him leaving?

I think if you'd have said it last season, there would have been a bigger response. But after a year of hardly playing, it's generally been accepted.

It's a shame because he's seen as one of their own - a product of their academy. But City fans have Joe Hart sent on loan, Yaya Toure exiled and Aguero dropped since Guardiola arrived. They are getting used to this kind of thing.

No one is safe and everyone at the club is buying into the Pep-effect.

No one is claiming Iheanacho should be playing instead of Jesus - and if Guardiola brings in Alexis Sanchez and/or Kylian Mbappe, there'll be no complaints.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

West Ham fans are getting excited about a deal, do you think he will improve them?

I think he will be very prolific Premier League striker.

If he goes to West Ham, they are buying goals.

Maybe there will be a touch of the Romelu Lukakus about the deal.

He's a different player to Lukaku - but just look how well he's done since leaving Chelsea.

Do you think he needs to secure a move this summer for his own good?

He definitely needs to move. The very fact City have placed a valuation on his head is evidence he doesn't have a future there.

Just 18 months ago he was considered way ahead of, say, Marcus Rashford. I'm not sure too many would say that now.

That's a shame because he has the potential to make a huge impact if given regular playing time.