Shanghai Shenhua has reportedly offered a new contract worth about £360,000-a-week (N180m) to Odion Ighalo amid Newcastle United interest.
Ighalo is set for a return to China according to The Times. His loan contract with Manchester United ends in six days, which was the negotiated period when he was signed by the Red Devils in January.
Since then things have, of course, changed. The global pandemic means that, as originally planned, Ighalo was unable to see the season at Old Trafford.
Ighalo wants to stay at United, but the two clubs have reportedly stalled negotiations. It now looks like on Sunday the striker’s heading back to China.
Shanghai Shenhua has allegedly offered him a new deal in order to try and keep Ighalo happy over the long term. If he agrees, Ighalo will receive £75million over four years, which is about £360,000 a week.
However, Ighalo ‘s wish to stay in England may be an issue. He’s a United boyhood fan, and fans have taken him quickly at his arrival in January, despite initial bemusement.
Sky Sports, meanwhile, has recently claimed Newcastle wants him. Their massive takeover could soon go through, giving them considerable support in the transfer market.
Newcastle may rival the riches of Shanghai Shenhua, but it’s another matter if that is a good idea.
Ighalo turns 31 this summer and played just 61 minutes of Premier League action before the pandemic hit, so paying such huge money for the ex-Watford man would be a big risk.
