Against all expectations, Kelechi Iheanacho will be part of Manchester City’s pre-season squad.
Iheanacho, 20, was reportedly deemed surplus to requirement at the Etihad by Pep Guardiola.
The Nigerian fell down the perking order following the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane, managing just five Premier League starts last season.
It was believed that Iheanacho wouldn’t even come close to City again with Leicester City and West Ham keen on the forward.
But it appears Guardiola has other plans after including the 20-year-old in his squad for the tour of the United States.
While Iheanacho was fortunate to scale through, Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Wilfred Bony, Eliaquim Mangala and Jason Denayer all failed to make the squad.
All five are expected to leave the club before the start of the new season.
The quintet, should they have not found new clubs by then, will train at the Etihad Campus while City are off facing Manchester United, Real Madrid and Spurs on a high-profile tour of the United States.
Iheanacho boats one of the best conversion rates in the league with 21 goals in 64 appearances.
His inclusion in the club’s tour of America may perhaps mean his Spanish manager has had a change of mind.
