Manchester United Football Club are on the brink of agreeing a loan extension for striker Odion Ighalo.
United are still in talks with Ighalo’s parent club, Shanghai Shenhua, and it is hoped a deal can be agreed before the striker’s current loan deal expires on Sunday.
All things being equal, the proposed loan extension will run until the end of January 2021, when Ighalo will go back to Shanghai.
By implication, Ighalo will miss most of the 2020 Chinese Super League season, which is expected to commence in June.
Shanghai initially wanted to agree to extend his loan if an obligation to buy was included into the deal, with Ighalo likely to cost in excess of £20m.
The current border restrictions prevent Ighalo from going back to China as preparations for next season commences. This made Shenhua have soften their stance and as a result, allow Ighalo to extend his stay at Old Trafford on the condition that he pens a new contract.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful an agreement will be reached by both clubs to extend Ighalo’s loan deal so he can “finish off what he started”.
While talking to MUTV this week, Solskjaer said: “The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back.
“We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club.
“It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”
