Man Utd wanted ‘significant investment’ Ighalo before January

Joe Williams
Odion Ighalo Manchester United Watford

Manchester United’s move for Odion Ighalo was not a last-minute panic signing, according to reports.

The Red Devils’ pursuit of a striker came across as a mad scramble on deadline day as numerous names were linked with the club.

Salomon Rondon, Edinson Cavani, Vedat Muriqi, Danny Ings, Adolfo Gaich and Josh King were amongst the names thrown out there by news outlets in the last 48 hours of the January transfer window.

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However, a report in Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness) claims that Man Utd actually made their first contact with Ighalo’s agent before the January window opened.

The report adds that Shanghai Shenhua’s transfer men slowed down the loan move for Ighalo as it was all agreed well before the close of the window on January 26.

It is understood to be a ‘significant investment’ for Man Utd with the Premier League club committed to paying his ‘entire salary’ which is €5.3m and could rise by another €1m if he earns his bonuses.