Shanghai Shenhua refusing to budge on Ighalo's future

Odion Ighalo. A Nigerian professional footballer, plays currently for English club Manchester United (on loan from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua) as a striker. Ighalo's loan deal at Manchester United is expected to expire on 31 May. Photo: Getty

Shanghai Shenhua will reportedly push ahead with plans to recall striker Odion Ighalo from Manchester United by the end of the week.


The 30-year-old took a pay cut to join the Red Devils on a half-season loan deal in January that is due to expire on May 31.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed on Tuesday that United are looking to extend the Nigerian's stay at Old Trafford until the end of the Premier League season, which will stretch into July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ighalo's agent has also hinted that a deal between United and Shenhua is close to being agreed, but The Mirror claims that his parent club are demanding that he returns in time for the start of the Chinese Super League campaign in three weeks' time.

Shenhua were willing to discuss a permanent transfer of around £20m, it is claimed, but United are not looking to sign the former Watford man for the long term,
SportsMole