Newcastle United set to battle with Aston Villa for 27-year-old striker with 42 Premier League goals

Newcastle United have joined Aston Villa in the race to sign Kelechi Iheanacho, who is set to be released by Leicester this summer.

The Nigerian international spent seven years at the Foxes, helping them win the FA Cup in 2021 but has now been told to find a new club as they return to the Premier League following relegation in 2023.

Newcastle are in the market for a new forward as it looks increasingly likely that Callum Wilson will leave the club this summer.

This leaves Alexander Isak as the only other senior striker available for the next campaign.

Iheanacho would be a backup to Alexander Isak

According to The Mirror, Iheanacho is on Newcastle's radar as a backup option to Isak.

His time in the Championship wasn't at all memorable, scoring just five goals in 23 Championship appearances but the 27-year-old has proved experience of finding the net.

In the 2021/22 season, he was in top form scoring 12 goals in 25 Premier League games and netting four times in the FA Cup and three times in Europe.

Aston Villa are interested in Iheanacho

While the Magpies may think they have a good chance at landing the Nigerian, fellow Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also keen on bringing Iheanacho to Villa Park.

The lure of Champions League football will surely be an attractive one, so early signs could be that a move to Villa is favoured.

As it stands, no reported approaches have been made by either club and Iheanacho will be without a club come the start of July.