Despite being offered an enormous reported £300,000 a week, Watford striker Odion Ighalo chose to remain at Watford.
Odion Ighalo in action for Watford
Demba Ba, Graziano Pelle, Ramires, Hulk and Ezequiel Lavezzi are just some of the star studded names who have swapped Europe for China recently in light of the huge money to be made over in the Chinese Super League.
Another man who was linked with a move to the CSL this summer was Watford’s top scorer last season, Odion Ighalo.
The Premier League striker today revealed why he is still in Watford rather than Shanghai though, claiming “I’m not moved by money from China.”
Brazilian international Hulk is one of several big name players to have moved to China
Shanghai SIPG’s last bid for the Nigerian was reported to be an eye-watering £37.5 million, but whilst Watford were said to be ready to cash in at that price, Ighalo told his club to knock back the offer.
“I’m not moved by money from China. Yes it is big and crazy. When the right time comes I will go. But now is not the right time. I love playing in the Premier League. It’s all I’ve wanted to do,” said Ighalo.
He added that, “My mum and my siblings watch me in action in the best league in the world. I still have unfinished business in England.”
Watford are now under the stewardship of new manager Walter Mazzarri
Ighalo himself made a flying start to life in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season and 15 in the league, but the goals started to dry up as the season progressed.
A worrying trend for Hornets fans, as the Nigerian hitman is yet to open his account this season too, although it is of course very early days.
The Watford striker is in no doubts that he’ll get back to goal scoring form, stating “I know the goals will start flowing again.”
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero was one of only a handful of players to score more goals than Ighalo in the Premier League last season
The Watford forward, who has formed an effective strike partnership with Troy Deeney since joining the club, feels that his job has become harder now defenders understand his game and identify him as a threat.
“Now in the Premier League, it’s more difficult because they know me very well,” he commented, adding “Every defender wants to mark me so hard and more than what they did last season.”
Watford head to West Ham this Saturday for their first trip to the London Stadium, and Ighalo will hope he can get on the scoresheet for the first time this season and help the Hornets out of the relegation zone, even at this early stage of the campaign.
Watford could have to contend with West Ham’s star man Dimitri Payet who is set to return this weekend
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