Odion Ighalo has revealed that Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion were both keen to land him from Watford last month.
Changchun Yatai striker Odion Ighalo has told The Sun that a proposed move from Watford to West Bromwich Albion proved to be ‘impossible’ last month.
Ighalo, 27, became a Premier League star last season having hit 15 goals in 37 games during his first season in England’s top flight, following on from 20 goals in 35 games to help Watford win promotion during the 2014-15 season.
The Nigerian’s goals dried up this season though, scoring just once in 18 Premier League appearances as he eventually lost his place in Watford’s staring line-up.
Odion Ighalo in action with Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
Ighalo ended up leaving Vicarage Road during the January transfer window, as he made a money-spinning move to China with Changchun Yatai, who splashed a remarkable £20million transfer fee on Ighalo and £190,000-a-week in wages.
Ighalo had been linked with a number of clubs before making his big-money move to the Far East, and the striker has now commented on his situation during the January transfer window.
Ighalo has told The Sun that he wanted to stay in England, but Watford made a move to West Brom ‘impossible’, whilst their demands also put Crystal Palace off striking a deal for Ighalo.
Odion Ighalo reacts after missing a chance to score
Ighalo stated that clubs in China were the only ones able to agree a deal with Watford, but he understands why Watford did business the way they did.
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The striker concluded by admitting that he wanted to stay in the Premier League, as his kids were settled in England, but he wants to play first-team football – and the huge wages will have played a part in his decision to go.
“When the options came, my priority was to stay in England,” said Ighalo. “West Brom came but what Watford wanted made it impossible to go there. Crystal Palace, too, showed strong interest but Watford’s demands put them off as well.”
“It was only China that could give them what they wanted. I understand football is business, they sell and buy to make profit. On a personal level, it is good money for me but if I had my way I would love to stay in the Premier League.”
“I have my family here, the kids are in school here, they have their friends here and getting that stability is never easy when you keep moving your family. But what can we do? Life goes on,” he added.
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