With 15 Premier League goals this season, only five players have netted more than Watford striker Odion Ighalo. The 26-year-old striker quietly had a very strong and consistent season – contributing at least two goals five times this year – and was a huge part of Watford’s mid-season success. Naturally, there was plenty of interest in him during the January transfer window – which Ighalo was not afraid to admit.
According to the Daily Star, Ighalo confirmed that big Premier League and Chinese clubs tried to acquire him from the Hornets in January, but he ultimately turned them down because he felt happy with his current club. Per the source, Manchester United and Arsenal were among the interested clubs, and they will try to land him again this summer.
“A lot of clubs were interested in January and I turned down a lot of money from China and even in the Premier League.
“I decided to stay and I am still happy I stayed. I know offers will come.
“My agent is going to sit down with Gino (Pozzo) and talk.
“I have a four-year contract and I am happy if they want me to stay.
“We will see how it goes. I love the fans here, they supported me even when things were not going well, that’s all you can want. If Gino wants to keep me I am happy to stay.”
Ighalo scored 20 goals in the Championship division during Watford’s 2014-15 campaign and was a key figure in the team’s promotion after finishing second that season.
The Nigerian striker continued his goalscoring ways in the Premier League, earning Man of the Match honours six times and leading the Hornets to safety this year.
Arsenal’s two leading scorers, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud, both have 13 goals this season, while Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has 11.
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