Udinese striker Odion Ighalo says he is in the “final negotiations” over a move to Watford.

Ighalo, who has spent most of the last five seasons on loan at fellow Pozzo club Granada, is a player who has interested the Hornets since the family’s takeover two years ago.

And he told Sky Sports: “I am in talks with Watford and I believe we are in final negotiations.”

He continued: "I am hopeful that those talks will go well and that the move will be finalised very soon.

"It has always been my dream to play in England and I am looking forward to playing for Watford.

"The Watford fans may not know a lot about me, but I promise to give my all and help them achieve their goal of getting back to the Premier League."

Ighalo is a powerful striker who does not possess an impressive strike rate but is a fans’ favourite at Granada, after helping the club secure back-to-back promotions to La Liga and remain in the Spanish top flight for three seasons.

The striker started his career at Prime and then Julius Berger in his native Nigeria before joining Lyn in Norway in 2007 at the age of 18.

His nine goals in 20 games during his first year in Norway persuaded Udinese to sign the striker.

The 25-year-old made one start and four substitute appearances for the Italian club before his affinity with Granada began the following season.

Ighalo netted 17 goals as Granada secured promotion back to the Spanish second division for the first time in 22 years via the play-offs.

He started the 2010/11 campaign on loan at Serie A side Cesena but was unable to secure regular football and after four appearances was loaned back to Granada.

Ighalo only scored five goals in 25 outings for Granada that season but one of those was a fine solo effort in the play-off final which secured promotion to La Liga.

Six goals in 30 outings followed during both of the next two campaigns and he scored four in 18 appearances last season.

Ighalo is 6ft 2in and strong in the air, as well as being considered a decent finisher.