Christian Obodo says 18 clubs wanted him before injury ended European transfer hopes

Retired Nigeria international Christian Obodo says he attracted interest from 18 clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona, before a serious injury brought his career to an early end.

The former Udinese midfielder enjoyed a successful period in Italy, where his technical quality helped him contribute goals and assists across spells with several Serie A clubs.

Obodo made 196 appearances for Italian sides during his career, scoring nine goals and registering nine assists. Now 42, he says his performances had placed him on the radar of some of Europe’s leading teams before the injury halted his progress.

Speaking on the Home Turf Podcast, Obodo claimed Liverpool were prepared to pay €60m for him after an impressive season.

“I stopped very early because of an injury. I was unstoppable in Italy,” Obodo said.

“The first injury happened four matches to the end of the season. 18 clubs were looking for one player. All these clubs Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona were inside.”

Obodo said he had been considering a move to Liverpool because of the expected departure of Xabi Alonso, who was set to move to Real Madrid.

“Then I wanted to go to Liverpool because Xabi Alonso was going to Madrid. After our Champions League game, we left and started playing Europa League.

“We left the Europa League as well. We finished one game and came for a recovery session but that weekend we are still going to play a match against Empoli.

“This thing happened on Tuesday morning. The coach was talking and I was on the shoulder of {Antonio} Di Natale and my leg was on top of the ball. We finished and were supposed to go juggling. I dropped my leg and sustained the injury.”

The injury occurred four matches before the end of the season, according to Obodo, who said it came during a training session following the club’s European commitments.

He also insisted that he had already done enough at club level to attract major transfer interest and did not need the World Cup as a shop window.

“I have set the platform already. The league has ended and 18 teams are showing interest in me. I have done it on my own already. I don’t need to go to the World Cup to {showcase myself}.”

““I just need to go to the World Cup to replicate the same form. Even before going to the World, maybe the deal would have been concluded. I am choosing the team that I want to join. That time, Liverpool were ready to spend 60 million euros.”

Born in Warri, Obodo won 21 caps for Nigeria and scored four goals during a four-year international career with the Super Eagles between 2004 and 2008.

He said his aim would have been to reproduce his club form on the international stage rather than use the World Cup to establish his reputation.

Despite his early retirement, Obodo’s career included a substantial spell in Italian football, where he built a reputation as a technically gifted midfielder and played at the highest level in Serie A.