Arsenal were in the race to sign Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho but the Nigerian forward’s advisors insisted that he move to the Etihad Stadium.
The young forward was propelled onto the collective radar with star performances for his country at age-grade level and a scramble for his services ensued as a result.
City won the race to sign Iheanacho in 2014 and the 19-year-old striker has made giant strides to make an impact in the star-studded Citizens first team over the last 12 months.
The teenager has scored eight Premier League goals in 26 outings for Pep Guardiola’s men and is being tipped to have a bright future in the game.
However, it could well have been Arsenal that Iheanacho was stepping out for, with Taye Academy supremo Kennedy Ezenwere admitting that the Gunners were in the hunt for the Nigerian back in 2014.
“Arsenal were interested in Kelechi but I blocked the move, there was a problem with the agent brokering the deal,” the chief told Allnigeriasoccer.
“I picked Manchester City ahead of Arsenal not because of money.
“I knew if he went to Man City he had a better chance of playing there than Arsenal and I have been proved right.
“Kelechi has now become very popular, it wouldn’t have been so if he joined Arsenal.”
With Arsenal short of striker options as the new season starts, Iheanacho may well have been an excellent addition.
