The Edo native has been a revelation this season after his 14 goals in 24games has helped Watford climb up the table and on the brink of avoiding relegation.
Hebei China Fortune had offered Ighalo a four – year deal and were willing to pay Watford £10 million compensation to severe ties with the Nigeria international.
“I was very close. They made a £10m bid and were offering me over £200,000 a week; a four-year contract. I couldn’t sleep for three days,” Odion Ighalo told the Daily Mail UK.
“That kind of money is not easy to turn down. Some team-mates in the dressing room were saying, “You can’t miss this chance”. But I don’t jump into decisions like that.
“ I knew God would direct me. When I said I don’t want to go, they offered me more money, almost £300,000 a week. I told them it’s not about the money.”
‘I have 14 goals in the Premier League, how do I go to China now?’ said Ighalo, who signed a new five-year deal in September thought to be worth about £30,000 a week.”
They have called again and I have turned them down again,’ said Ighalo. ‘Maybe if I keep scoring goals, that team will come with triple the money at the end of the season. When the time is right to go to China I will know. If it’s for me it will come to pass.
‘When I was in Ajegunle, I was watching the Premier League, dreaming one day I would be part of it. If I keep doing what I’m doing I can enjoy my football in England for four, five or six years.
‘I helped this team to promotion. How can I leave because of money? I know money is good. With that sort of money I can secure my life. But you can’t sell your dream.’
‘I’m happy to be one of them. I’m proud to be Nigerian and to have come from a ghetto like that. It is not the best place to grow up. It wasn’t easy and it has been a rough journey. But it gave me strength to work and keep struggling. Looking back, I can’t complain. Hard work and the grace of God have paid off in my life.’
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