Odion Ighalo: I’m not leaving Watford in January

The Nigerian international, 26, has emerged as a target for Diego Simeone's Atletico, who are nestled between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Ighalo has scored 14 Premier League goals this season – just one adrift of top-flight pacesetters Romelu Lukaku and Jamie Vardy.

"I want to finish the season strongly with Watford and prove that we have a good bunch of players here," the Nigerian international told BBC Sport.

"When the focus is on a strong finish, transfer talk will not get to you."

Ighalo, who joined Watford from Udinese in 2014, topped the goalscoring charts across England’s top four leagues last year.

"I haven't really bothered myself about statistics because I've always had my feet on the ground and I never forget where I come from," Ighalo said.

"I am just focused on getting better, doing things right on the pitch and being myself on the pitch."

Watford sit ninth in the Premier League and host Manchester City on Saturday.

A mid-season transfer is always risky. Why would Ighalo want to be thrust into an unfamiliar environment, without a pre-season to adjust? He’s making the right call – even if Champions League football is potentially on offer.

Watford are flying and his goals show no sign of drying up, so a dream move can still await in the summer. Not that he’ll necessarily want to leave. Quique Flores is building something pretty remarkable in the capital.