Aston Villa reportedly had the chance to sign striker Odion Ighalo on Thursday night but opted not to pursue the 30-year-old (as per Sky Sports’ Jim White, via The Mirror), a decision that has pleased many of the Villa Park faithful.
The Nigeria international sealed a loan move to Manchester United on transfer deadline day, although @villareport on Twitter notified followers that he could have ended up with Dean Smith’s side for the remainder of the season. As noted by The Mirror, Aston Villa had been in the market for a striker in recent days with top scorer Wesley ruled out through injury for the rest of the campaign.
Aston Villa last night turned down the chance to sign Odion Ighalo. [@JimWhite] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) January 31, 2020
According to the Daily Star, Ighalo has been earning £300,000 per week at parent club Shanghai Shenhua, with Manchester United set to pay a third of that amount in wages to the former Watford man. By way of comparison, Tom Heaton is the highest wage earner at Villa Park on £42,000 per week, according to Spotrac.
These Aston Villa fans on Twitter seemed quite happy for the club to turn down the opportunity to sign the 30-year-old striker:
That’s glorious 🙈🤣
— Mattston Villa (@MattcayleyM) February 1, 2020
United signing players which we are turning down 😂😂
— Aiden Brown (@Browner779) January 31, 2020
Man United signing Villa cast offs is it?
— d2 (@hot_diggity_d) February 1, 2020
Good, wages would’ve been massive
— Tom💜💙 (@tjones1306) January 31, 2020
Gone to China for the money. Not to challenge himself in the best leagues. Not the attitude we need
— Nick Nelson (@nelsonusm) January 31, 2020
What’s the point in paying massive wages for a 3rd choice striker, good decision
— Callum 🇹🇿 (@callumavfc_) January 31, 2020
Gutted……. not
— GAS Villa🦁 (@gasvilla66) February 1, 2020
Aston Villa fans, what do you make of the club’s decision not to pursue a last-gasp move for Ighalo? Share your views in the comments section below!
