Why Southampton should sign former Watford striker Odion Ighalo
According to a report in Sports Witness, Premier League side Southampton are interested in signing former Watford striker Odion Ighalo. The 29-year-old is expected to terminate his contract with the Chinese club Changchun Yatai as he braces for offers from the aforementioned club and Turkish giants Fenerbahce and a few Bundesliga sides.
Saints are under the new management of Ralph Hassenhuttl after sacking Mark Hughes post a terrible start to the season. The Austrian manager, who is famously called as the “Alpine Klopp”, has made a good start to life under at the St.Mary’s.
When he arrived, the team was in the relegation zone but they have got two wins in the last five games to rest some of the slides.
Here’s why the South Coast-based club should do everything and sign Ighalo in this transfer window:
Ighalo could be an ideal goal-scoring addition
Southampton have struggled for goals in the past few years now. For namesake, they have four strikers in the squad but none of them is good, apart from Danny Ings, who scores (7 in 14 appearances) when he starts but gets injured more often than not.
Collectively, the squad has managed to score 21 goals in 20 league games, which is just not enough if they are to stay ahead in the relegation scrap.
Manolo Gabbiadini made a dream start to his life at the St.Mary’s after the 2017 January window, but the Italian faded away in double quick time. As of now, he is up for sale in this month’s transfer market, and AC Milan are interested.
Relying on Charlie Austin or Shane Long to support Ings up front won’t be the right option for the new manager and that’s evident from the previous games.
Hence, they have to sign a striker who can actually score goals, remain fit and lift the pressure off the defence to always win points in tight games.
Getting Odion Ighalo is advantageous in many ways, chiefly because he has played in the Premier League before and has scored a good chunk of goals while being at Watford.
The Nigerian netted 16 goals in 55 appearances for the Hornets in top-flight football, which is good considering he used to play alongside Troy Deeney up front. He can join Southampton and perform a similar role with Danny Ings up top.
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Thus, Saints have to do everything and get the 29-year-old at the club, before any other potential suitor take him away.