Welsh club Swansea City are eyeing a move for the former skipper of the Nigeria Under 20s Odion Ighalo, who spent the last three seasons on loan at Granada.

Primarily an Udinese player, Ighalo had fancied a return to Granada but the Spanish club are refusing to play ball, by rejecting his demand for an increase in wages. The 23-year-old has had to make some sacrifices in his spell with Granada. Ighalo was one of the least paid players at the Andalusian club, reportedly earning annual wages of about 200, 000 euros.

A return to Spain is not out of topic. Now, Granada face competition from teams in England, Turkey, Russia, Germany and France for the signature of one of the rising stars of Nigerian football.

''My agent has told me that there are a few clubs interested in me and hopefully something will happen shortly. I'm still a Udinese player, so it is up to them whether I am allowed to join on loan or leave permanently, but I believe that if a reasonable offer is made they will let me go.

"One of the clubs that I have heard are interested is Swansea because the coach there knows me from my time in Spain,'' says Ighalo to skysports.com.

Turkey's vice - champions Fenerbahçe are also in the running for Odion Ighalo informs La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Yellow Canaries want the 23-year-old on loan, and could buy him outright on expiration of the initial contract.