Manchester United is concerned Shanghai Shenhua won’t take up FIFA’s advice to extend Odion Ighalo’s loan deal this summer, reports say.
With player contracts and loan deals set to expire before Premier League football can be resumed, FIFA wants clubs to take into account the altered timeframe for the campaign.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced football across the world to be shut down.
United want to keep Ighalo for the remaining games, but Shanghai Shenhua want the striker to return to China when the loan deal expires on May 30.
The start of the Chinese Super League has been delayed and Shanghai Shenhua want Ighalo back in their team for when games do get underway.
ESPN claimed United is concerned this means Shanghai Shenhua will block any attempt to extend Ighalo’s loan deal and the Red Devils do not expect FIFA’s advice to change that.
As a result, United is exploring their options and want to resolve Ighalo’s future as soon as possible.
With players facing uncertain futures due to their contracts, FIFA tried to restore some clarity to the situation.
|It is now obvious that the current season will not end when people thought it would,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Therefore, it is proposed that contracts be extended until such time that the season does actually end.
“A similar principle applies to contracts due to begin when the new season starts, meaning the entry into force of such contracts is delayed until the next season actually does start.”
Ighalo himself has openly said he wants to remain at United and the Red Devils can reportedly sign him permanently for £15 million.
The Nigerian earns £300,000-a-week in China and would be taking a huge pay cut to remain at United on a permanent basis.
But Ighalo has already revealed it is his dream to play for United and hit back at critics claiming he was not of the level required to be a Red Devil.
“I don’t get carried away, I don’t listen. I do my work and just remain focused,” he said.
“When I came to Manchester United I pictured what I wanted to attain but I did not say a word, I did not go solo.
“People on social media can always talk but you do not need to speak to people that you do not know.
“You must focus and do your job. The same people that criticise you will praise you when you do well and when they praise you, you can’t get carried away.
“I am telling you, If I miss one chance now they will insult me, you understand? [Now] It’s ‘Ighalo, you are the best’ but okay, one chance I miss and they will insult me so do not get carried away with hype, praise or criticism because those things are bound to happen.”
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