China’s football transfer juggernaut has struck again, this time sweeping Watford’s Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo in its wake. It is believed that the London club has accepted a bid in the region of £20 million from Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai.
Watford appear keen to cash in on the Nigerian who enjoyed a stellar season last year bagging 15 goals from 37 appearance but has struggled for form this campaigns.
FLASHBACK
: This @ighalojude strike secured #watfordfc's last win over @SwansOfficial, a 1-0 win at the beginning of last season pic.twitter.com/5Z3yg6Q6To — Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) October 21, 2016
Goals have been harder to come by for Ighalo and Watford captain Troy Deaney as Premier League defences appear to have sourced out their partnership style. Watford are the Premier League’s fifth lowest scoring team and this lack of firepower has forced manager Walter Mazzarri to recruit two forward options in the form of Mauro Zarate and AC Milan’s M’baye Niang.
Ighalo is however believed to be reluctant to the move, as Changchun Yatai are not one of the Chinese League’s big hitters, the club currently lying 12th in the 16 team league. Once completed, he will join fellow Nigerian, and former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel and several other African players who appear to be keen to cash in on China’s drive to attract quality players to its league.