Manchester City are keen to install a buy-back clause into any contract Kelechi Iheanacho signs if he leaves the club this summer, according to a Daily Mail report.
The newspaper claims West Ham are “hopeful” they can land the 20-year-old, who is valued at £25million by his club, but Everton and Leicester are also keen to win the race for his signature.
It is said the Hammers will want the buy-back fee to be “at least double” the price they pay for him this summer, although City will demand it is around £30million.
The report also states the Citizens do not want to be left in the same situation as Chelsea are in with Romelu Lukaku, as they sold him without agreeing a buy-back clause.
This comes after Icheanacho’s agent claimed negotiations with West Ham were “very advanced” and “barring any last minute hiccup” he will join the East London club.
The Times previously reported City would be willing to sell the Nigerian striker for £25million.
Icheanacho was a bit-part player at the Etihad this term as Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were preferred, and he only made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals.
The 20-year-old made the step up into the senior set-up at City in the summer of 2015, and he has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot since then, playing 64 league and cup games in three seasons.
He is a eight-time Nigeria international, and has scored five goals for the side.