Ighalo Explains Why His Proposed Move To Barcelona Fell Through

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was linked with a possible move to European powerhouse Barcelona in the January transfer window but the transfer did not materialize and he ended up joining Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.

The former Watford star has revealed that he turned down a move to the Camp Nou because he was not assured of playing time and he wanted to secure his future as his contract with Changchun Yatai was running out.

''The deal was for me to play on loan for a season, but I was not ready to take chances as my playing minutes could not be guaranteed and at end of the season I will be a free agent,'' Ighalo was quoted as saying by Score Nigeria.

''I preferred to secure my future my signing a longer deal in China instead and that was why the Barcelona move fell through.''

Barcelona had been in the market for a striker to provide cover for Luis Suarez, and eventually snapped up Ghanaian Kevin-Prince Boateng on loan from Sassuolo until the end of the season.

Ighalo was also on the radar of Turkish and Premier League clubs before he agreed terms with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.

Igho Kingsley