Manchester United FC are close to agreeing to a loan extension for former Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo, until January 2021.

According to Punch, Ighalo’s loan deal expires today, being Sunday, May 31st, 2020.

Giving an update on the loan extension on Sunday morning, Skysports reports that

the proposed loan extension will run until the end of January, when Ighalo will return to Shanghai.

If agreed, Ighalo will miss the majority of the 2020 Chinese Super League season, which is scheduled to begin in June.

Shanghai’s original stance was that they would only agree to extend his loan if an obligation to buy was incorporated into the deal, with Ighalo likely to cost upwards of £20m.

Also, his agent, Ladi Salami, said salary agreement is being finalised.

Ighalo’s current contract expires in December 2022, but Shanghai want to keep him until at least December 2024, Skysports reports.

According to reports, United is contributing £130,000-a-week towards the former Watford striker’s wages.

While awaiting a contract extension at United, the Nigerian player has reportedly been offered a deal worth £400,000-a-week by Shanghai Shenhua.

Since joining his childhood club on loan in January, Ighalo has scored four goals in eight appearances in all competitions.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.