Manchester United are keen on extending the temporary stay of Odion Ighalo until the end of the current season, PA Sport reporter Simon Peach claims.
The 30-year-old was a surprise loan signing for United from Shanghai Shenhua in January and there were initially doubts whether he could make an impact for the club.
However, he has proved a decent back-up striker for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and has netted four goals from his eight appearances across all competitions.
There has been the talk of United securing the permanent signature of Ighalo but Peach has revealed that the current focus remains on prolonging the striker’s stay for the rest of the ongoing campaign.
Ighalo’s present loan deal expires at the end of May but the club are hopeful of keeping him for another couple of months in case the season recommences after the coronavirus shutdown.
#MUFC would like to extend Odion Ighalo’s stay at Old Trafford. The striker's loan deal expires at the end of May but an extension for the rest of the season (assuming it restarts) depends on the situation at Shanghai Shenhua. He certainly made a decent impact in a short period
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) May 5, 2020
United are looking to pursue a high-profile striker during the next transfer window but there are no assurances over the same with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The immediate priority should remain on extending Ighalo’s loan stint but it won’t come as a surprise, if the hierarchy decide to land his services on a permanent basis thereafter.
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