The Red Devils face a battle to keep the former Super Eagles star beyond his current deal as Shanghai Shenhua want him back for the Chinese Super League season, while Newcastle are also interested
Manchester United hopes of extending Ighalo’s loan deal have suffered a massive blow as Shanghai Shenhua will only consider a permanent transfer.
Ighalo joined United from the Chinese Super League side on a loan deal till the end of the season. But with the football world currently on hold, Ighalo’s future at Old Trafford has been put in doubt.
The loan deal was supposed to keep him at Old Trafford until the end of May, but with the Premier League currently on suspension, United are hoping to extend his contract till the league concludes.
However, according to Skysports, Shanghai Shenhua will reject the offer as they want Ighalo back for the start of the Chinese Super League set to kick off in either June or July.
Although Shanghai could still let Ighalo leave, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side will have to pay £20m to sign the former Nigeria international permanently.
But the Red Devils could face competition from Newcastle should they pick the option of signing Ighalo on a permanent deal.
The Magpies are set to be taken over by Saudi owners, and Ighalo is among the names they are considering as they plan to build a competitive side.
Ighalo has made a brilliant start to his Manchester United career with four goals in just eight games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side.