Man Utd ‘very close’ to Odion Ighalo transfer agreement says agent in dramatic U-turn after Shanghai talks stalled
ODION IGHALO is “very close” to reaching an agreement to stay at Manchester United, his agent has confirmed.
The former Watford striker is set to return to Shanghai Shenhua when his six-month loan deal expires on Sunday.
However, United are hoping to prolong the 30-year-old’s stay at Old Trafford with the Premier League season now due to finish in July.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that the Red Devils remain in talks but Ighalo’s agent has revealed that an agreement is close.
Ladi Salami told FootMercato: “On the one hand, the Super Eagle [Nigerian] feels very good in Manchester with which it is very close to a salary agreement.
“Negotiations with the Chinese are ongoing and are going well.”
We’re in dialogue. It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Odion Ighalo
Ighalo took a pay cut to join United, the club he supported as a boy, in January on loan from Shanghai Shenhua because he was desperate to move to Old Trafford.
Yet his parent club are set to recall the Nigerian because they want him ready for when the Chinese Super League season restarts in the next few weeks.
And they had been reported to only be willing to discuss further terms with United involving a permanent transfer for around £20million.
But Solskajer admitted he was hopeful an extension for Ighalo, who has scored four goals in eight games for the club, could be agreed.
He told MUTV: “The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back.
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“We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club.
“It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed.
“Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”