According to an ‘exclusive’ from TEAMtalk, Newcastle are keen to sign former Watford striker Odion Ighalo.
The Nigerian international bagged 40 goals and 11 assists in 100 appearances for Watford but has spent the last three seasons in China following a £20m move to Changchun Yatai in 2017.
He’s now at Shanghai Shenhua, however it’s now claimed he’s keen on a return to England, with the Chinese side ready to a January loan move away with an option to buy.
Ighalo scored 16 goals in across the 2015/16 season and has since bagged 46 times in 73 appearances in China – so he knows where the back of the net is – however it remains to be seen if this is a deal Mike Ashley would really sanction.
A loan deal sounds a no brainer in some respects, but he turns 31 next summer and will no doubt be on huge wages, with a return to England made difficult for financial reasons once players leave for stupid money in China.
In addition, the report claims Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Watford and Southampton have also shown interest.
A move that could make so much sense, but one that seems so unlikely unless Mike Ashley presses the panic button in January?
