Palace welcome De Boer, target Iheanacho

CRYSTAL Palace are set to go toe-to-toe with West Ham in the pursuit of Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Hammers have been heavily linked with a move for the Nigerian striker, however, Palace will try to lure Iheanacho to Selhurst Park after confirming Frank de Boer as their new manager on Monday.

Iheanacho tell down the pecking order at the Etihad last season after the arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus.

Despite an impressive 29 appearances for City last season, Iheanacho could be moved on by Pep Guardiola with London believed to be his most likely destination, according to Football London.

Iheanacho has become one of the most promising strikers in the Premier League over the last few seasons, making a potential exit from Manchester City all the more surprising. West Ham were believed to be in advanced talks with the 20-year-old forward before hitting a stumbling block around a potential buy-back clause in his contract.

With frustration growing at the London Stadium with the club’s failure in signing a striker in recent years, Hammers fans could be left red-faced again with news that Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish could sanction a move for Iheanacho this summer.

Potential deals for Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi and Henry Onyekuru have appeared to have stalled for West Ham and hopes were high in regards to Iheanacho, but the possibility to work under Frank de Boer could be enough to convince the Nigerian international to snub any interest from West Ham.