Courtesy Of COVID-19, Manchester United To Keep Talented Striker For 8 More Months At Additional Fee Of $4.4M

KEY POINTS

Ighalo joined Man Utd this January transfer window
He was called in as a replacement for injured Rashford
The Nigerian player has scored four times in eight games for Man Utd

Chinese Super League’s striker, Odion Ighalo, has extended his loan deal with Manchester United because he cannot return to China amid the coronavirus crisis.

Ighalo, whose initial loan deal ended Sunday, was signed by Man Utd from Shanghai Shenhua on a temporary loan deal on the final day of the January transfer window as a cover for sidelined Marcus Rashford, who is currently recovering from a back issue.

The Nigerian striker, who had earlier played for Watford in the Premier League, has impressed the Red Devils, having scored four goals in eight matches across tournaments before the ongoing 2019-20 season was halted by the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Man Utd paid a loan fee when Ighalo moved from Shanghai to Old Trafford in January. The Chinese side had clearly mentioned that a contract extension would be available provided Man Utd agree to add an obligation to buy in the deal and that could be worthy of at least $24 million.

While Shenhua were looking forward to having Ighalo back when the 2020 Chinese Super League season began in June, the current border restrictions in China have forced them to allow the striker to extend his stay in England until January 2021. According to ESPN, Man Utd would soon be paying a second loan fee of approximately $4.4m for the player’s services for an additional eight months.

“The Nigerian striker's stay was initially due to end on May 31 but he will now remain with the Reds until Jan. 31 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy. Today's confirmation is a timely boost for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he continues to prepare his squad for this month's resumption of competitive football,” Man Utd said in an official statement.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players were booed off against Burnley AFP / Paul ELLIS

While it is still not sure if the Premier League side are planning to keep him permanently in the near future, Solskjaer has said he is keen to have Ighalo in the squad for the remainder of the current 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.