Exclusive: Udinese Reject Everton Bid For IGHALO, Granada In Pole Position

A plethora of teams including Everton, Espanyol and Celta Vigo had been eyeing a loan move for Odion Ighalo in the summer transfer market but Udinese have rejected the proposals from England and Spain as they failed to meet the player's rental fee.

According to allnigeriasoccer.com sources, the Italian club also turned down a bid from Turkish club Fenerbahçe who were interested in the outright acquisition of the 23 - year -old attacker. 

Udinese snatched Odion Ighalo from under the noses of Norwegian club SK Brann in the summer of 2008. The player who is rated as one of Nigeria's exciting prospects for the future has failed to break into the first team of The Bianconeri, and had been sent on loan to satellite club Granada in the past three seasons.

Ighalo's first choice is a return to Granada with some conditions attached. The Egypt 2009 Fifa Under 20 World Cup star had to take a pay-cut to play for the Andalusia club reportedly earning annual wages of 200, 000 euros. He was one of the least paid players at The Filipinos. Now, he is demanding an increase in wages before joining the club on loan again for the 2012 - 2013 La Liga season.

It must be noted that Udinese and Granada have an excellent relationship. There are indications that Gino Pozzo, the major shareholder of Udinese, has given his green-light for Ighalo's switch to the Spanish club. What remains for an official announcement to be made is the player agreeing personal terms with Granada.

Stay Tuned...............