Watford skipper Troy Deeney says Odion Ighalo will not leave the club in January as “simple business maths” proves it makes little sense for the Hornets to sell their top scorer.

The Nigeria international has struck 14 times in the Premier League this season, with his last seven goals coming in six games.

Given the 26-year-old’s form it is little surprise he is attracting interest from clubs across Europe.

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen to sign Ighalo and are willing to make a £12 million bid.

An offer that would be swiftly rejected by Watford. As Deeney is happy to explain..

“Odion is not going in January,” Deeney said after the Hornets 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

“Let’s be honest, if teams didn’t want any of our players we’d be c**p.

"So other teams can want Iggy as much as they want but I know Gino (Pozzo, Watford’s owner) and it wouldn’t make sense to sell.

“Why sell a striker when you are trying to stay in the Premier League? What would be the value in selling Odion now and getting what £20 million? £25 million?

“Or you keep him, stay up and get something like £200 million in TV money. It is simple business maths. We will not sell him.

“Odion hasn’t come in telling everyone he wants to leave. We just laugh at that (Ighalo leaving in January).”