Odion Ighalo not keen on Chinese return, emerges as transfer target for La Liga side

Manchester United's Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo looks on from the dugout ahead of the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg, football match between Club Brugge's and Manchester United, at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on February 20, 2020. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United’s on-loan striker Odion Ighalo has reportedly become a transfer target for La Liga side Real Betis.

Ighalo, 31, joined United on-loan from Chinese side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua during 2020’s January window.

However, after what was supposed to be a short-term, six-month loan, Ighalo has ended up staying with the Red Devils for double that amount of time.

After the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic hit just under 12-months ago, which saw football all across Europe postponed, United agreed to extend the Nigerian’s stay.

However, after always playing a bit-part, emergency back-up role, Ighalo’s game-time has unsurprisingly been few and far between.

After bidding farewell to the club, as the 32-year-old’s January exit edges closer, there have been reports that the Nigerian is not keen to return to the Chinese Super League.

According to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Ighalo has emerged as a transfer target for La Liga side Real Betis.

The report claims current Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has been a long-standing admirer of Ighalo after he impressed during his three-year spell with Watford (2014-2017).

It has been claimed that Betis are very unlikely to be making any transfer moves during the January transfer window, but have not ruled out a future move.

In addition to Betis, Ighalo is believed to have also gained interest from clubs in the MLS and Serie A.

Read more: Dutch media urge Donny van de Beek to leave Man United

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