Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho appears poised for a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor, with negotiations advancing between the player’s current club Sevilla and the Anatolian outfit. Reports from Turkey, citing local media and verified by the Media Talk Africa, indicate an agreement has been reached for a permanent transfer, pending final contractual formalizations.
The proposed deal would see Samsunspor, nicknamed The Red Lightning, pay Sevilla approximately €3.5 million in transfer fees. Iheanacho is expected to sign a contract worth €1.2 million annually, according to sources familiar with the discussions. This move marks another chapter in the 28-year-old’s itinerant career since leaving Leicester City last year, where he spent seven seasons before joining Sevilla on a free transfer in July 2023.
Samsunspor’s pursuit of Iheanacho follows a failed bid to secure English-born striker Chuba Akpom, who opted instead for newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town earlier this month. The Turkish side, currently mid-table in the Süper Lig, appears keen to bolster its attacking options as it aims to improve its domestic standing.
Iheanacho’s recent trajectory has seen limited stability. After struggling for consistent game time at Sevilla, he was loaned to Championship side Middlesbrough in January, where he managed two goals in 11 appearances. His departure from Leicester City last summer concluded a mixed tenure that included highlights like his FA Cup-winning goal against Chelsea in 2021, though his form fluctuated in subsequent seasons.
For Sevilla, finalizing this transfer would represent a profitable exit after signing the player at no cost less than a year ago. The La Liga club has historically leveraged the transfer market to balance finances, and the €3.5 million fee could provide flexibility during its own squad rebuild.
Iheanacho’s potential move to Turkey aligns with a trend of Nigerian players seeking opportunities in less competitive European leagues to secure regular minutes ahead of international commitments. With 49 caps for the Super Eagles, his form and fitness will remain under scrutiny as Nigeria prepares for 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this year.
While neither club has issued an official statement, insiders suggest negotiations are progressing smoothly, with personal terms already settled. The transfer window’s closing timeline could accelerate final approvals, positioning Iheanacho for a fresh start in a league increasingly seen as a strategic destination for experienced players seeking revitalized careers.
