Neville: Man Utd don’t need to spend £20m on Ighalo

Joe Williams
Gary Neville Sky Sports Premier League Man Utd

Gary Neville doesn’t believe Odion Ighalo is worth £20million in the current market as Man Utd weigh up whether to make a permanent move for the striker.

Ighalo made his shock deadline-day switch from Shanghai Shenhua in January and the ex-Watford striker has impressed the Old Trafford faithful.

The 30-year-old has scored four goals in three starts for the club he has supported since childhood but adding to his eight appearances has been complicated by the coronavirus crisis.


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The Premier League has been suspended since March 13 – the day after he netted a stunning goal at LASK in the Europa League – and play is unlikely to resume until mid-June at the earliest.

Ighalo’s loan deal expires on May 31 and, despite their attacking injury issues easing, Man Utd are understood to be open to extending his Old Trafford stint.

On the completion of his temporary move there has been speculation that Man Utd could sign him permanently with a figure of between £15m and £20m talked about.

Neville said on Instagram Live: “Is Ighalo worth £20m? Probably not in this market. He may have been if he continued scoring goals but you probably don’t need now to spend £20m.”

In March, Ighalo refused to talk about the possibility of a loan extension, he said: “Talking about other things now will not only be selfish but terribly insensitive. I don’t even think about it.

“The challenge before us now is not a football one, but a global one.

“You can’t put football before health challenges. What matters right now is to keep safe and pray for those battling with the virus to recover fully.

“This is another reminder for us to share love in this world. Continue to show kindness to one another because a problem facing one is a problem to all.”

 

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