Transfer deadline day: Crystal Palace pull out of deal to sign Iheanacho from Leicester City

Kelechi Iheanacho has been persistently linked with a move back to the Premier League this summer following Leicester City’s relegation from the English top-flight last campaign

Crystal Palace have reportedly stopped their chase of signing Leicester City and Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho ahead of today’s deadline, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 26-year-old has been strongly linked with a summer move back to the Premier League, with reports revealed a few days ago that Crystal Palace have a genuine interest in making a move for the Nigerian forward.

It was also explained in the report that the Eagles’ move for Iheanacho will depend on the sale of Jean Phillipe Mateta to RB Leipzig, with the London club aiming to use the funds raised from the Frenchman’s exit to pursue Iheanacho’s deal.

Another report that came in yesterday revealed Palace are close to matching the £18m Leicester are asking from any potential suitor who has a concrete interest in signing in the Nigerian forward.

But in the latest update, Palace are set to keep Jean-Phillipe Mateta after netting a 22 minutes hat-trick away at Plymouth in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as reported by Evening Standard.

The Eagles are ready to discuss a new contract for Mateta, who will see his current deal expire in 2026.

Palace will now stop their chase for the Nigerian international in favor of a more versatile forward option.

With Iheanacho’s current contract set to expire next summer, the Foxes might lose the former Manchester City forward on a free transfer at the end of the season if he fails to make a move from the club before the end of today.