Tottenham must regret failure to sign Odion Ighalo in January

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Tottenham Hotspur are clearly struggling without a recognised striker at present. Injuries to both Harry Kane and Heung-min Son has left Jose Mourinho barren in attack. 

The likes of Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Dele Alli have been asked to fill the void, whilst Troy Parrott is not considered ready by Jose Mourinho. 

It has certainly been a mitigating factor in Tottenham’s recent poor form and their loss to Norwich City in the FA Cup this week. 

Therefore, it will not help matters to see that an apparent January transfer target just helped Mourinho’s old club Manchester United into the quarter-finals. 

The Red Devils defeated Derby County at Pride Park last night to seal a place in the last eight with Odion Ighalo scoring twice. It brings the Nigerian’s tally to three goals in six appearances since joining United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January. 

Like Tottenham, United needed cover in attack due to an injury to Marcus Rashford and Ighalo was a signing derided by many. But Tottenham were reportedly also keen to bring him in. 

According to a report from Sky Sports, Tottenham failed in their own bid to sign Ighalo on loan. As reported by the football journalist Fabrizio Romano, this was because Ighalo is a boyhood United fan.

Whilst it was a deal many mocked United for at the time, having a proven centre-forward in the box has proved vital for the club against both Derby County and, previously, against Club Brugge. Partly thanks to Ighalo, United are still in the running for both the FA Cup and Europa League this season. 

Meanwhile, Tottenham are out the FA Cup and face an uphill battle to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Leipzig in the Champions League. 

Sure, Ighalo is not a world-beater, but Tottenham would love an experienced deadly finisher in the box right now.