Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheahancho reveals his coach rejected Arsenal approach for him in 2014

MANCHESTER CITY striker Kelechi Iheanacho could well have been turning out for Arsenal if it wasn't for his former coach.

The Nigerian star, 19, has impressed in the past 12 months since being given a real shot in the first team by Manuel Pellegrini, with many tipping him for stardom.

However, Kennedy Ezenwere - Iheanacho's coach at home club Taye Academy - said he was in discussions with both City and Arsenal, before he decided to put an end to talks with Arsene Wenger and Co.

Ezenwere said: "Arsenal were interested in Kelechi but I blocked the move, there was a problem with the agent brokering the deal.

"I picked Manchester City ahead of Arsenal not because of money.

";I knew if he went to Man City he had a better chance of playing there than Arsenal and I have been proved right.

“Kelechi has now become very popular, it wouldn’t have been so if he joined Arsenal.”

Last term, Iheanacho played 35 first-team games for then-Pellegrini's side - netting 14 times, including eight in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old has also forced his way into his national side, turning out four times for the Super Eagles, making his first start against Egypt in March of this year.

And Iheanacho figures to feature heavily in Pep Guardiola's squad for the 2016-17 season, despite the arrival of forwards Nolito and Leroy Sane.

The Nigerian even netted against Arsenal on Sunday night in the Citizens' final showdown of pre-season, netting City's second in a 3-2 loss in Gothenburg.

In the clash, England winger Raheem Sterling gave Pep a dream start, before Wenger's side netted three thanks to Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Chuba Akpom.