Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a blow in their hopes of keeping Odion Ighalo with Shanghai Shenhua ‘determined’ to bring the forward back to China next month.
The Nigerian international signed for the club on a short-term loan deal during the January transfer window and has impressed since returning to English football, the former Watford striker scoring four goals in just eight appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Ighalo’s current loan deal expires on May 31st, though Solskjaer had been keen on retaining the services of the 30-year-old until the end of the rescheduled Premier League season at least, though talks over an extension to Ighalo’s deal have so far failed to find a breakthrough.
Odion Ighalo, though 😱
WHAT A HIT 💥 #UEL #LASKMUN pic.twitter.com/1EWJhXspB3
— GOAL (@goal) March 12, 2020
According to the Daily Mail, the Chinese Super League side have refused to grant any alterations to Ighalo’s loan arrangement, while they also report that talks over a permanent deal have not been discussed.
Marcus Rashford’s impending return from a double stress fracture in his back lessens Manchester United‘s need to secure an extension in the coming days, the England international joining the likes of Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as attacking options in Solskjaer’s squad.
The latest reports now indicate that Ighalo may have already played the final game of his short stint at Old Trafford, the forward so far due to return to the Far East when his current loan arrangement expires next week.
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