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Watford’s Nigerian Striker Odion Ighalo On His Way To China

Watford’s Nigerian Striker Odion Ighalo On His Way To China

Today is transfer deadline day, and of course, there are some bits of last minute business that clubs in Europe are looking to conclude, with Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo set to confirm his next move in the coming hours.

A deal that is close to being officially confirmed is Nigerian striker Ighalo’s move from Watford in the English Premier League to Chinese club Changchun Yatai.

A fee of $24.8 million has been agreed for the transfer; with an additional $6.2 million to be paid to Watford depending on the player’s performances in the Chinese Super League.

The 27-year-old was arguably the Hornets’ best player in 2015, scoring 30 goals during the year, but in the last 12 months he has only scored two goals, and has fallen out of favour at the club.

Ighalo previously turned down a lucrative Chinese contract in favour of focusing on his career in England, but it seems that the time has come to make a move away from Watford.

Club coach Walter Mazzarri recently confirmed that Ighalo would be moving away from the club, and that numerous offers have been forthcoming.

“I’ve just heard now that there is a very important offer that we are evaluating,” said Mazzarri, according to SkySports.

“I don’t like to say all the details but there is more than one offer. This one might also be from China,” he added.

With today being the last day that a deal could materialise, China seems the most likely destination, as Watford would benefit from a significant cash injection.

The only thing that could stop Ighalo’s move to China would be a last minute manoeuvre from West Brom, as they are also keen on the Nigerian, but they would need to match the £20million asking price.

Ighalo could therefore join the China exodus, following in the footsteps of Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel.