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Manchester City have put contract talks with starlet Kelechi Iheanacho on hold following a row over who represents the Nigerian striker.

Iheanacho, 19, who lined up alongside Sergio Aguero in City’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Etihad yesterday, will be rewarded for his breakthrough season with an improved new deal.

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But City have had to shelve plans to hand the 19-year-old a significant pay rise after it emerged that the player is at the centre of a tug-of-war between rival agencies on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

United States-based First Eleven Management have represented Iheanacho since he was a schoolboy and advised him over his move to the Etihad in January 2014.

(Image: AFP/Getty)

The company claims that the striker signed a new representation agreement when he turned 18.

But now the London-based Stellar Group are claiming to be Iheanacho’s new advisers.

A complaint has been lodged with the FA and an arbitration hearing will be scheduled, the belief in Africa is that the matter will probably be decided in court.

Iheanacho has made four starts and 11 substitute appearances for City this season and has scored five goals.

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He is regarded as one of the hottest young talents to come out of Africa after helping Nigeria win the Under-17 World Cup in 2013.

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City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “Kelechi is a very important player for us. He has a bright future at City.”