Kelechi Iheanacho is considering his future after Celtic reportedly moved to offer him a new contract, with the striker currently a free agent following the expiry of his one-year deal at Parkhead, Bold Sports reports.
The Nigeria international arrived at the club last summer but saw his contract lapse after Celtic opted against triggering a one-year extension clause, despite the 29-year-old playing a key role in the club’s domestic double last season. His availability has since attracted interest from elsewhere, with several clubs said to have made approaches.
Manager Martin O’Neill, however, is keen to keep the forward at Celtic Park and has confirmed talks are already underway with Iheanacho’s representatives.
“I’d like to do something with him,” O’Neill said. “If we can do something relatively quickly, at least he then gets started in pre-season, which is really important for him. It’s something he didn’t have last year.”
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O’Neill added that a swift resolution would benefit both parties, even if it comes too late for the club’s upcoming pre-season trip. “That would be nice. I’m definitely pursuing that at this minute. He won’t be in Portugal with us, but we are talking to his agent now at this moment. I would like to have him.”
Iheanacho’s first season in Scotland got off to a modest start, with just three goals in his opening months, but he grew into a decisive figure as the campaign progressed. Deployed frequently as an impact substitute, he produced a string of late winners, against Kilmarnock, Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell, that proved pivotal to Celtic’s title charge.
His cup exploits were equally telling. Iheanacho scored twice in Celtic’s 6-2 semi-final rout of St Mirren, then added another in the final as the club completed the double with victory over Dunfermline.
With his stock relatively higher on the back of that form, Celtic will be hoping to fend off rival suitors and get an agreement over the line before the new season gets underway.
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