Blow for Manchester United as Shanghai expect Odion Ighalo to return by July

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According to Sky Sports News, Manchester United may face a battle to keep hold of loanee Odion Ighalo as Shanghai Shenhua expect the striker to return for the start of the new Chinese season in July.

It’s added that the Red Devils are keen to extend the Nigerian star’s loan period until whenever the Premier League season ends amid uncertainty due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sky Sports however claim that Shanghai aren’t willing to agree to this, with the Chinese Super League side only willing to part ways with Ighalo on a permanent basis, with the ace valued at more than £20m.

The BBC recently reported that the 30-year-old wants to stay with the Red Devils, however it may be quite problematic for the ace’s loan deal to be extended.

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Odion Ighalo has performed superbly since joining Man United on loan.

It’s clear that Ighalo is hoping to stay at his boyhood club with Sky Sports reporting in March that the ace rejected a two-year contract extension with Shanghai that was worth £400,000-a-week.

Ighalo has been excellent since joining as perhaps the most surprising transfer of the January transfer window.

The ace has helped ease the impact of Marcus Rashford being injured by bagging four goals and an assist from just three starts.

In total, Ighalo has made 8 appearances for the Red Devils, he’s also shown his talents and the necessary different dimension he brings to Man United’s attack with his outings off the bench.

Sky Sports report that loan deals – like usual contracts, expire on June 30, if the Premier League resumes this summer, this would reportedly leave 163 top-flight players in limbo.

Ighalo’s situation is quite unique, we can’t really disagree with Shanghai’s stance on the star, unfortunately the pandemic has effectively left the star in the middle of both clubs.

United understandably want to keep hold of Ighalo until whenever the Premier League season ends – if it does, and Shanghai want their marquee signing back for the start of their new campaign in July.

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