Chelsea join bid to sign Odion Ighalo as Hiddink prepares summer clear out of strikers

CHELSEA has become the latest clubside to join the pursuit for Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo and plan to table an audacious bid for the Watford forward in the summer as part of a major reorganisation.

 

Ighalo, who has been in sensational form this season, has scored 13 English Premier League goals during the current campaign and finished as the leading scorer for the 2015 calendar year with 30 goals. Already the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have set their eyes on him but Chelsea is planning a major clearout in the summer that could see other strikers leave, making Ighalo is an obvious target.

 

It is believed that new Chelsea boos Guus Hiddink is planning to sell the likes of Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy in the summer and it is not yet clear if the club will be able to hold on to Diego Costa. This makes Ighalo, 26, a key target for the west London club who have struggled during the current season despite having a galaxy of stars in its squad.

 

Chelsea already has a number of strikers under consideration for a short-term move this month but the club is keen to see whether Ighalo could be a candidate for a summer switch. His goals shot Watford into the Premier League last year and since then, Ighalo has shown a strength and composure in front of goal that has attracted a number of suitors.

 

In December, Ighalo's five goals saw him win Premier League Player of the Month. As a result of that, he has already been the subject of interest from Spanish title challengers Athletico Madrid and Italian Uefa Champions League chasers Roma in addition to the Premier league clubs.

 

Since the interest began, Ighalo has been keen to play down the transfer talk, saying he is in no rush to leave the Hornets, ruling  out a departure from Watford this month during the transfer window. However, the club will face a fresh fight to keep him at the end of the season.

 

Although Ighalo signed a new five-year deal in September, he has admitted he could yet be open to a move to a top club. Earlier this month, he described a potential transfer to Manchester United as a dream.

 

It is believed that Athletico Madrid will try to buy Diego Costa back following a troubled second season in English football. Remy for his part is expected to leave in search of regular first-team football, while Falcao is set to return to Monaco when his season-long loan spell ends.