Manchester United have reached an agreement to extend Odion Ighalo’s loan from Shanghai Shenhua until January 31, 2021
The Nigerian striker’s stay was initially due to end on 31 May but he will now remain with the Reds until 31 January 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy.
The Nigerian, who previously played for Premier League side Watford, impressed in his eight appearances before lockdown and the consequent postponement of football – scoring four goals in three starts – and the club were keen to extend his loan until the end of the campaign.
While there have been no discussions to keep the 30-year-old at the club on a permanent basis, Solskjaer has been keen from the start to have Ighalo in his squad for the end of the season.
“It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, with a trophy for us,” Solskjaer told MUTV.
Ighalo’s current deal at Shenhua runs out in December 2022 and he will be expected to sign a contract offer until the end of 2024 worth £400,000 a week.
He will now miss the majority of the 2020 Chinese Super League season, which is scheduled to begin in June.
Shanghai’s original stance was that they would only agree to extend his loan if an obligation to buy was incorporated into the deal, with Ighalo likely to cost upwards of £20m.
