Manuel Pellegrini praises teenage playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that he is looking to tie up a deal for teenage midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho when the club returns from their tour of the United States.

The 17-year-old playmaker has agreed terms with the Premier League champions, but to compete in England he requires a work permit which has yet to be processed, according to Sky Sports News.

However, Pellegrini has admitted that Ihenacho - who scored in the Citizens' 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City yesterday - is an "important player" for the future.

"We've not yet decided [what the plan is for him] because it's not easy," Pellegrini said. "He's just 17 and sometimes that's the problem. We'll see what he will do in the future. Kelechi is just 17 years old and he's a very important player for us in the future.

"He has demonstrated what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he's a good talent. For the moment he will stay with us and we'll see when we return to England what will happen with him. But he's a very important player for the future for the club.

"After the tour we will see what happens with him. There are a lot of things to arrange to play in England but he has an important future."

Iheanacho was a key figure for Nigeria at the World Under-17 Championship last year.