Transfer Centre

Odion Ighalo happy to stay at Watford after Quique Flores exit

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 14 May 2016

Odion Ighalo reveals that he turned down offers from other Premier League clubs in January and is happy to do the same in the summer to stay at Watford.

Watford's top scorer Odion Ighalo has insisted that he is "happy" at the club and keen to stay at Vicarage Road this summer, despite the surprise departure of manager Quique Flores.

It was confirmed yesterday that Spanish coach Flores would leave the Hornets at the end of the season, despite securing their safety in the top flight after promotion a year ago and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

Ighalo, who is under contract until 2020, said that offers were turned down in January and that he is ready to again resist interest this summer.

"A lot of clubs were interested in January and I turned down a lot of money from China and even in the Premier League," the Nigerian told Sky Sports News.

"I decided to stay and I am still happy I stayed. I know offers will come. My agent is going to sit down with Gino [Pozzo, owner of Watford] and talk. I have a four-year contract and I am happy if they want me to stay.

"We will see how it goes. I love the fans here, they supported me even when things were not going well, that's all you can want. If Gino wants to keep me I am happy to stay."

Although admitting that he was surprised at news of Flores's departure, Ighalo is confident in the decision making of Hornets owner Pozzo.

"Quique has done a great job," he added. "I can remember before the start of the season the target was 40 points to remain in the Premier League. We did that and got to the FA Cup semi-finals.

"But the Pozzos know best. Gino always gets it right, even last year when he let Jokanovic leave people thought why is this guy leaving who took us to the Premier League, but Quique came in and did the job."

Ighalo has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.