Manchester United looking to retain Odion Ighalo's services

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a new bid to retain the services of Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo beyond the expiration of his current loan deal on Monday.

Ighalo was brought in on deadline day in January on the short-term deal, negotiated initially as a stop-gap until the end of the season due to Marcus Rashford's injury.

The 30-year-old has impressed, however, and while United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted earlier in the season that he was interested in handing him an extension of sorts, it looks as though his parent club, Shanghai Shenhua, will welcome him back to China.

Reports have suggested that the Chinese club have offered Ighalo a new contract over four years worth £75million which will put paid to all of United's efforts to keep him.

The offer is said to be paired with a demand that Ighalo is present for the start of the new Chinese Super League season in July, a stance which – according to All Nigeria Soccer – has softened.

As such, the source claims that United are now working on a late proposal that would extend Ighalo's stay at Old Trafford past Monday's deadline.

Shanghai Shenhua are said to be willing to let Ighalo stay on the condition that they are paid a loan fee by United, having only agreed to split the cost of the player's wages in the initial agreement.

Ighalo has impressed in his short time with United, scoring four goals in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Indeed, the Nigeria international scored in the Red Devils' last match in March, a 5-0 win over Austrian side LASK played behind closed doors.

- TEAMtalk media