'Mourinho wanted to speak to me' - Ighalo details how he snubbed Tottenham for Manchester United
Published: June 16, 2021Odion Ighalo has detailed how he snubbed Tottenham Hotspur for a move to Manchester United in the winter transfer market of January 2020.
The odds were stacked against Ighalo joining the Red Devils as they were linked with last-minute deals for Salomón Rondón and Joshua King, two strikers ahead of the Nigerian in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's pecking order of targets.
In addition, other factors that could have stopped the deal from happening were his age, the coronavirus pandemic and criticism of the Chinese Super League.
Ighalo revealed that the then manager Jose Mourinho attempted to persuade him to join Tottenham Hotspur but his mind was already made up on moving to his dream club, Manchester United.
"When Tottenham heard that Manchester United were in talks with Ighalo, they started calling my agent because Harry Kane was injured then," Ighalo said to Elegbete TV Sports.
"I am a man of principle, I got a pay cut going to Manchester United. Tottenham were ready to pay me all the wages I was earning in China, they were ready to pay a higher loan fee than Manchester United, so my director in Shanghai Shenhua was trying to force me to accept Tottenham Hotspur."
He added : "I told my agent I didn't care, that he should make the Manchester United deal happen if they are serious.
"He sent me their proposal, I saw the letter heading of Manchester United, I took a picture of it and kept it.
"I didn't want to speak to Jose because if I speak to him I have the feeling somebody can easily manipulate me because I don't want to offend anyone".
He added : "I told my agent I didn't care, that he should make the Manchester United deal happen if they are serious.
"He sent me their proposal, I saw the letter heading of Manchester United, I took a picture of it and kept it.
"I didn't want to speak to Jose because if I speak to him I have the feeling somebody can easily manipulate me because I don't want to offend anyone".
Ighalo spent one year at Manchester United, scoring five goals in 23 matches across all competitions.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- 'Simply phenomenal' - Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh names the best coach in the world
- Manu Garba impressed with Golden Eaglets midfield pre-U17 WAFU B, identifies three positions to fortify
- Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo provides injury update on Awoniyi pre-Everton
- Gift Orban replacement: Gent on brink of deal for tall Danish-Nigerian striker dubbed 'The New Onuachu'
- Spain youth team call-up for former Liverpool winger Elijah Gift; also eligible for Nigeria and Cuba
- Confirmed team news: Super Eagles defender Collins might miss Cardiff City v Southampton
- Photo: Trabzonspor striker Onuachu trains with special bandage ahead of potential return to action
- Transfer guru rules out possibility of 2021 Super Eagles invitee making a return to Chelsea this summer
- 'No one has ever said Chukwueze is poor' - Trevisani urges AC Milan winger to justify his transfer fee
- European competitions: Lookman, Tella, Boniface, Kayode, Onyedika, Iroegbunam advance to semifinals
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football