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By: Johnny Edward.
Nigerian duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi could leave Leicester City this summer as new Foxes manager, Enzo Maresca, says the club is open to selling players desperate to leave the King Power stadium.
Speaking on the futures of his current players, including the likes of Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes and the Nigerians at the club, Maresca said, “It is difficult, when the market is open, anything can happen.
“At the moment, seven players had their contracts expired, James Maddison left, and some more players can leave. But at the same time, players can leave, so we can bring in more players.
“The market is open, anything can happen. We can bring in players and we can sell them too. The market is long. There are many weeks so we’ll see.”
Iheanacho and Ndidi have been linked with exits from the club this summer, after Leicester City were relegated to the Championship, seven years after they lifted the Premier League.
While Iheanacho has been linked with AS Roma, Inter Milan, Besiktas and Aston Villa, Ndidi has been attracting interests from Saudi Arabian clubs Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, as well as Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.
Besiktas want a new forward with star striker Cenk Tosun currently injured and just weeks before their campaign kicks off. After finishing third in the Turkish Super Lig last season, they will enter the Europa Conference League but have to start from the second qualifying round, which begins July 29.
Turkish outlet Star says Iheanacho is a player they have targeted, putting forward a loan offer, including a fee of €2m. That would unlikely convince Leicester, who will want to sell Iheanacho for a decent fee, if he wishes to leave.
Iheanacho was named by Leicester’s supporters as their player of the season last term, despite making just 13 starts in all competitions and scoring eight goals.
He has now been with City for six years since his £25m move from Manchester City. Overall he made 206 appearances and scored 55 goals.
The 25-year-old Nigerian is the Foxes’ leading Cup scorer with 24 goals, nine ahead of second-place Mike Stringfellow.