Manchester United are reportedly ready to turn Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo’s loan move which is to end on May 31 into a permanent deal this summer.
According to Daily Mail, United may have to negotiate an extension with the Chinese club if the Premier League season — on hold until the end of April —continues into June, although world players’ union FIFPro is working on a solution to the contract uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Shanghai Shenhua, who are prepared to sell Ighalo, have put a £15m valuation on the player and United are set to match the asking price of the Chinese Super League club for the striker who will be 31 in June.
The Red Devils currently pay Ighalo £130,000 weekly.
The striker has scored four goals in eight appearances since his arrival from Shanghai Shenhua in January but has had his hot-streak curtailed due to the suspension imposed on football as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ighalo was initially seen as a stop-gap signing after United failed with a bid to bring in Bournemouth’s Josh King on deadline day.
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However, he has impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his performances after having to train alone due to concerns over his arrival from Shanghai at the height of the coronavirus outbreak in China.
Discussing his contract situation at the weekend, Ighalo said: ‘Talking about other things now would not only be selfish but terribly insensitive.
‘The challenge before us is not a football one, but a global one. You can’t put football before health challenges.’
After United’s win against LASK earlier this month, Solskjaer gave an indication that United were interested in making Ighalo’s move permanent. ‘He will improve and get better,’ said the United boss.
‘He has qualities we saw in him that we needed. And we will still need those qualities next season — so let’s see what we will do.’
Meanwhile, Ighalo’s brace against Derby County in the English Emirates Cup and his stunning strike in Manchester United’s win over LASK in the Europa League first-leg quarter-final have been nominated for Goal-of-the-Month award.
Ten goals were shortlisted for the award, according to a report on the club’s official website.
Ighalo faces competition from Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, Charlie McCann, Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and James Garner for the award.
The winner will be announced on Saturday.
Yetunde Adegoke
