OPINION
Newcastle United must spring into action in order to snap up Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo from Changchun Yatai after he admitted he wanted to return to the Premier League in January.
The 29-year-old who previously played for Watford in England’s top division has told Sky Sports that he is keen to return to the Premier League and according to the broadcaster he is expected to fly into the UK to discuss his future.
Ighalo has been playing his football in China since joining Changchun Yatai in 2017 and he had a very impressive 2018 with them as he scored a staggering 21 goals in 28 outings.
Yet it seems the former Hornet has his heart set on returning to England given that he wants a move achieved this month.
This must see the Magpies win his signature, or at least try to, as Rafa Benitez is in desperate need of having his attacking options boosted to help him starve off the threat of relegation in the second half of the season.
Given that Ighalo was in prolific form and previously proved that he was capable of scoring goals in the Premier League by scoring 17 goals in 55 outings in the division when with Watford, he seems the ideal player to sign.
The attacker will no doubt be able to settle quickly due to knowing the division and will likely be chomping at the bit to prove that just because he’s been playing his football in China lately doesn’t mean he still can’t cut it in England.
The only issue regarding the Magpies signing him is that according to Sky Sports Changchun Yatai would want to recoup the £20million they paid for him, but given that teams may be hesitant to meet their demands, perhaps a deal could still be struck.
Whether that be one at a lower price or one that sees Ighalo join the club on a temporary basis.
However the Magpies must snap up the forward if they can as he could boost their firepower given his Premier League experience and recent goal record.
