Watford of England striker, Odion Jude Ighalo could become the next Nigerian player to star for Everton, as the English Premier League side have reportedly entered the race for his signature.

Everton have a strong Nigerian tradition, which dates back to the days of ex-international, Daniel Amokachi in the FA Cup winning squad of 1994, while the trio of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe and Joseph Yobo equally made top marks with the Goodison Park-based Merseyside outfit.

Ighalo is now bound to join the list of Nigerians in The Toffees’ history, as a report by allnigeriasoccer.com indicates that Everton have joined the race for the Watford frontman ahead of the summer transfer window.

The move for Ighalo comes from observations that Everton could lose Belgian sensation, Romelu Lukaku in the summer, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all credited with keen interest.

The reports states further that Everton’s power-brokers have lined up Ighalo as a replacement for the Belgium international in the event that Lukaku departs at the end of the current season.

It marks another remarkable opening for the former Julius Berger FC of Lagos, Prime FC of Osogbo, Lyn Oslo of Norway, Udinese of Italy and Granada of Spain attacker, who has previously been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United and Atletico Madrid.

In 36 outings for the Hornets so far this season across all competitions, Ighalo has found the net 16 times and, though he has failed to hit target in the past four games for The Hornets, the English Championship top scorer last season with 20 goals is still highly regarded by suitors.

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