West Ham are hoping Pablo Zabaleta can help lure Kelechi Iheanacho to the club for £25 million, says The Sun.
Zabaleta joined the Hammers on a free transfer following being released from the Sky Blues after nine seasons in Manchester, while Iheanacho is rumoured to be on his way-out of the Etihad this summer amidst interest from West Ham and Leicester City.
The Argentine and Nigerian pair were allegedly good friends when together at City, and the club hope that that kinship could be the clinching factor when it comes to the young striker deciding his next destination.
A source close to the club said: “West Ham think Zaba can help get Kele to the club. They know each other pretty well.
“Zaba took the young lad under his wing during their time at the Etihad and they have a good relationship.”
Iheanacho made only eight starts for City last season after falling behind in the pecking order to Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, yet still managed to find the back of the net an impressive 9 times.
