Manchester City Suspends Nigerian Striker Iheanacho's New Deal

Nigeria: Iheanacho Bidding His Time At City

Nigeria and Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has admitted that he is not in a hurry for a regular first team appearance with his Barclays Premier League team.

Following a superlative start to the 2015/2016 season, the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria, remains unfazed and will not be demanding more first-team football from manager Manuel Pellegrini. The 19-year-old striker doubled his sides lead on Saturday - his fifth goal of the season, as Manchester City comfortably beat Norwich City 3-0 in the FA Cup third-round. With City struggling for consistency, there is growing demand amongst the supporters for the Nigerian international to become a more prominent figure within the team.

When questioned by UK's Daily Mail shortly after Saturday's game on whether he has approached the manager about the prospect of playing more, Iheanacho said to City's official website: "Not really because as a young player you have to work hard in every training session and if you are given the chance to play you have to show the manager that you deserve to be in. "I think nothing is enough in football. I will keep working hard, I will keep giving my best every day and in every game. "Every day 

I will keep learning from the professionals in my team." Meanwhile, City has put on hold talks for a new improved contract for Iheanacho following a legal tussle involving agents representing the player.

It has now been specially gathered that US-based First Eleven Management, who secured Iheanacho his first City deal, have asked the Football Association arbitration to cancel a new management contract, which Iheanacho has signed with UK-based Stellar Group.

This tussle could well boil over to a civil court battle between the two high-profile agents.

"Talks over a new contract for Kelechi have been suspended until the FA arbitration decides on who his agents are. First Eleven who first managed him have asked for the FA to cancel a new management contract the player has entered with Stellar Group," a top source revealed at the weekend.

"It is only after the decision by arbitration that the situation will be a lot clearer. But even then, this could go all the way to the courtroom the way things are going." Iheanacho made his debut for City in August 2015, after starring in pre-season and his good form caught the eye of Super Eagles Head Coach Sunday Oliseh, who rewarded the youngster with his first cap, in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Swaziland last November.