Ighalo is on loan at United from Shanghai Shenhua at the moment and is scheduled to return to the Chinese Super League this summer.
Sky Sports have claimed that United want to keep the striker on loan until the end of the season, but Shenhua will only allow him to stay at Old Trafford beyond the agreed date if the Red Devils sign him for a permanent contract and pay more than £20 million in transfer fee to do so.
It has been reported that Newcastle are interested in making a move for the former Watford striker if the proposed takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund goes through.
Praise
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken highly of Ighalo this season, and seems to rate him highly.
Solskjaer told United’s official website in February 2020: “Well for me Odion is a different type of striker for us.
“He’s a box striker, he’s a goalscorer. We’ve already seen in training that he really knows his craft.
“He knows how to play as a centre-forward and he’s a fantastic professional, and human being, and he’s already added to the squad. The boys have learned his song already, so they’ve taken to him.”
Stats
According to WhoScored, Ighalo has played 61 minutes in the Premier League, and has scored two goals and provided one assist in three Europa League games for the Red Devils so far this season.
Football in England is suspended at the moment due to the global health crisis, and it remains to be seen when the season resumes or when the summer transfer window opens.
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