Odion Ighalo’s parent club Shanghai Shenhua are reportedly open to letting the Nigerian striker remain at Manchester United until January.
Ighalo’s loan spell at United expires at the end of the week but the club remain in talks with the Chinese Super League side over extending his stay in Manchester.
The expectation was that Ighalo would return to China at the end of this month without being able to complete the rest of the season at his boyhood club.
But Sky Sports report that border restrictions could prevent Ighalo returning to China in time for the new season in June and Shanghai could instead look to bring in a temporary replacement.
As a result, Shanghai would allow Ighalo to continue his dream of playing for United, but only with the guarantee that he signs a new contract with them.
Keeping Ighalo would be a big boost for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the Reds fighting on three fronts when the Premier League resumes next month.
The deadline day signing has become an instant fan favourite at Old Trafford and has provided more than adequate cover for the injured Marcus Rashford since his shock arrival in the final hours of the January window.
He has scored four goals in eight appearances in all competitions, and we hope to see him stay until at least the end of the season to offer Solskjaer more options in a packed schedule during the run-in.
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