What next for Odion Ighalo?
On the 11th hour of Transfer Deadline Day, Manchester United secured the 6-month loan signing of Shanghai Shenhua striker; Odion Ighalo.
After star man Rashford sustained a back injury, United needed a back-up option. Throughout the entirety of the January Transfer Window, the club were linked with former academy product and current Bournemouth striker Josh King.
Compared with the more future-proof signing of Bruno Fernandes, the loan-signing of a 30-year-old striker who has spent the last 3 years of his career in China did not add up to some United fans.
On the acquisition of Ighalo, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær said:
"He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he's staying with us.”
The move came as a surprise, but it’s one that made perfect sense in the context of further analysis;
Ighalo was already proven in the Premier League, having scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford (from 2014-2017)
Throughout 72 appearances in China, he’d amassed an impressive 54 attacking returns (46 goals, 8 assists).
At 30-years-old he offered invaluable experience to the likes of Rashford and Greenwood.
He’s a boyhood fan of the club and would give everything for the badge.
From a marketing perspective, he would be the first player from Nigeria to represent Manchester United - resulting in more exposure for the club as well as revenue from shirt sales.
Surprise Package
Despite doubts from fans around the world, Ighalo has endured a solid spell at the Red Devils so far.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the Nigerian forward equalled a record set by Lukaku; scoring in all 3 of his starts (4 goals in 3 games, to be exact).
With a total of 5 attacking returns (4 goals, 1 assist) in 8 games played for Manchester United, you can’t help but appreciate his overall impact.
Of course, with the form that he was in before the season was halted, we may never get to witness the true extent of just how good he could have been.
The Aftermath
COVID-19 has seen clubs alike having to pick up the pieces.
With Ighalo on an initial 6-month loan deal, time was never on his side and the Coronavirus outbreak certainly hasn’t helped matters.
The Super Eagles forward is set to return back to China on the 31st of May.
Although he has stated that he would “like to finish the season if possible,” it all depends on Manchester United’s final decision.
It’s common knowledge that Manchester United “have a will” to keep Ighalo, but Shanghai Shenhua are not keen on extending the Nigerian’s loan deal unless United agree to sign him permanently. With that, Ighalo may well have played his last game for the club.
The Money
Reports have indicated that Shanghai Shenhua want to bring Ighalo back to the club.
With his contract set to expire in 2021, they have reportedly offered him a 2-year extension worth £400,000 a week.
Of course, United will not match this offer and even if they were to make the move permanent, Ighalo would have to take a significant wage cut - especially for a player of his age.
In terms of a permanent deal, the Chinese outfit are demanding a fee of around £20million. They are reluctant to let him go on the cheap, even though his market value is around £4.7million (as per Transfermarkt).
There is also a lack of motivation for United to make the move permanent, with Marcus Rashford now back from injury.
It’s also worth noting that a player at the age of 30 doesn't fit in with the Red Devils’ recent policy of bringing in young talent.
Nevertheless, Ighalo brings something different to United’s attacking outlet and with the form that he has shown, many expect the club to make the move permanent, including ex-player Owen Hargreaves.
In an interview with talksport he said:
“He’s done really good, better than he could have hoped and Man United could have hoped and he’s been a good addition to the team.”
United’s final decision on the matter remains to be seen, but with a week left we expect negotiations to be wrapped up within a matter of days.
Article by: Samuel Slaney
Thumbnail by: Samuel Slaney
Images interpreted from: Getty Images & Manchester United