West Ham seem intent on getting young Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho. But Manchester City are playing hardball over the youngster.
West Ham have made it their mission to sign a striker who actually scores goals this summer. It’s been a good few years since the Hammers have had anything bordering on a prolific striker, and they think they have their man in Kelechi Iheanacho.
However to get a player to join, you have to convince the other team to let them go. Most teams simply require money to let the player move on, but some times other clauses are inserted. With young players there are often playing fees and goal bonuses, but in this case it seems that Manchester City are intent on putting in a buy-back clause for the man.
Transfer Hardball
Whilst it might delay the transfer for West Ham, this is a good sign. That Manchester City are trying to get this clause into the negotiations shows Iheanacho’s potential. It could also benefit the Hammers financially if they make sure that the price for the potential arranged buy-back high and only applicable for the first year or 18 months.
A long term buy-back clause would be a mistake, because if we hold on to the striker for four or five years we want to make sure any departure that does occur will be on our terms, or not at all for that matter. If Iheanacho continues on his current trajectory he will be a top striker in his prime, and City are worried about losing out.
However if this is the term that is halting the deal, then that’s promising. These deals usually come into discussion later on in the negotiation and there’s a lot of hope that this is only a speedbump in the path that would see the Nigerian join the Hammers soon.