Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Transfer News

Newcastle United want to buy Odion Ighalo in January – Dubious report

4 years ago
Share

Newcastle United want to sign Odion Ighalo according to an exclusive on Monday.

The striker made a name for himself at Watford after struggling in both Italy (Cesena and Udinese) and Spain (Granada) before arriving in England.

The Nigerian striker scored 17 goals in 18 starts (plus nine sub appearances) in 2014/15 as Watford were promoted out of the Championship.

He was then a surprise hit in his first ever Premier League season with 15 goals in 2015/16.

Odion Ighalo actually playing a significant role in helping Newcastle go down that season, scoring both goals as Watford won 2-1 at St James Park, then scoring another when Newcastle lost 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Now Teamtalk report that Ighalo has decided to return to England.

Watford sold him to Chinese club Changchun Yatai and then he joined Shanghai Shenhua in February this year.

He certainly hasn’t lost his goal touch, scoring 46 goals in 70 league starts (plus two sub appearances) in his time in China.

Teamtalk claim Newcastle United have registered an interest in signing the player in January but it sounds a little dubious.

Even though they say Shenhua are prepared to accept a loan deal with a price to buy at the end of the season, it is very difficult to see Mike Ashley allowing this one.

Newcastle are desperate for goals from forward positions and clearly Ighalo is still in fine form. However, he turns 31 in June and will be on massive wages in China. Even if he is willing to take a drop, it would still be far more than any current Newcastle player is paid.

As well as Newcastle, Teamtalk say Watford, Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton are also interested.

They aren’t the most reliable with their transfer exclusives either…and whilst a Telegraph report today says that Newcastle are willing to sell Dwight Gayle to help fund a new striker, difficult to imagine that it would/could be Odion Ighalo.

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks