Premier League Rumors: Manchester United, Shanghai Shenhua In Talks Over Ighalo Contract Extension

KEY POINTS

United is holding talks with Chinese team for Ighalo loan extension
Ighalo may have to decide on future with big money on the table
Ighalo may not get same playing time if Pogba and Rashford return

Manchester United has been quite busy these past days, being linked to several targets this summer. The options of the Red Devils are limited, particularly due to the budget constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With no games being played, revenues have taken a hit and such is expected to carry on for an unspecified time.

Aside from targets, United needs to address the contracts of some players on their end. The contract of Odion Ighalo is set to expire at the end of the month. However, it appears that the Red Devils are trying to work out a contract extension with the Nigerian's Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provided the update, revealing that both teams are currently in talks but have yet to resolve.

“The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back,” Solskjaer told MUTV. “We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club."

Previously, it seemed like the Red Devils were shelving their plans for Ighalo. But the recent update provided a small opening for the Nigerian who is living the dream playing for United. For now, the best the 30-year-old can hope for is a contract extension and not a permanent move. Most were under the impression that Ighalo would likely be absorbed by Old Trafford, seeing how he has performed well since arriving in January.

Ighalo has made eight appearances for United and scored four goals. He filled up the slack left by injured players such as Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. However, both regulars are reportedly back at full strength. It was because of this why some felt that Ighalo's future with the club was placed on hold.

For Ighalo, he may also need to decide on his future. The Nigerian football player was offered a new contract worth roughly $492,000 a week with Shanghai Shenhua looking to boost its bid. Add the potential return of Rashford and Pogba, Ighalo may see his playing time diminished with the two stars back in action. Hence, the fate of Ighalo may not solely depend on the contract talks. He will have to weigh his current situation and decide where he should play after May 31 -- the last day of his current loan deal.