Watford were only concerned about Manchester United returning for Odion Ighalo this summer so will shrug off any apparent interest in their prized striker from West Bromwich Albion.
United chief executive, Ed Woodward, contacted Watford the week leading up to the Premier League game with Newcastle on January 23 and asked if the Hornets would be receptive to a bid of £35 million.
Watford boldly turned it down as they were under no pressure to sell their best players and the timing of the bid left them no time to find a replacement.
Watford were always confident of hanging onto Ighalo this summer unless United, the club the Nigerian supported as a boy, came calling again and he agitated for a move.
He has twice turned down a move to China.
Hebei China Fortune had a £10 million bid accepted last summer but Ighalo turned down a salary worth £40 million over four years.
“I am happy that I turned it down and it’s really helped me grow as a person,” he said.
“Yes, it was big money. A lot of money. But I want to keep going in my career. This is a dream come true so to leave the Premier League and go to China was not the right thing.”
Shanghai SIPG tested his and the club’s resolve this summer with a £37.5 million bid but Ighalo, 27, still feels moving to China is not the right career move.
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