Ighalo's stay at Manchester United set to come to an abrupt end

Man Utd completed a January loan deal for Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua but the former Watford striker is now set to depart.

Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo could be on his way back to China next week after his parent Shanghai Shenhua reportedly rejected Manchester United’s requests to keep the 30-year-old for another three months.

According to ="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-odion-ighalo-leave-18306582">Manchester Evening news<, the Chinese club is requesting that Ighalo rejoin them to prepare for the start of the delayed Chinese Super League season.

United are also keen to keep Ighalo till the end of the season and are holding a discussion with the Chinese side to extend his loan deal but that has not yielded positive results.

It is understood that Shenhua would be willing to accept a fee of £20 million to part ways with Ighalo, even though a permanent deal has not been discussed.

 Ighalo's loan spell will end on May 31.

Ighalo has made an impressive start to life at United, scoring four times in eight games since signing on loan until May 31 from the Chinese Super League club.

The Nigerian striker was signed by United on the last day of the January transfer window this year.

English soccer was halted in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic but clubs are training in small groups as part of the Premier League's "Project Restart", which envisages a return to play in June.