Odion Ighalo's current contract extension with United under threat

Odion Ighalo's current contract extension with United under threat

Akan Anwankwo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM

- Odion Ighalo's contract at Man United could be affected with the postponement of the Premier League until April 30

- The Nigerian striker signed a six-month loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua which does not have an option to be made permanent

- League across the world have been suspended due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus

Odion Ighalo signed a six-month current that would end by June 30, 2020, and Man United could be deprived of the striker if the 2019-20 season goes beyond that, cited on Manchester Evening News.

All football league across Europe and other parts of the world have postponed their matches due to the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

The Premier League have extended their resumption date to April 30, 2020, in order to conclude their remaining nine matches of the season.

And this would affect players whose current contracts are due until the end of June after a seven-week period without matches.

The FA's rules and regulations state 'the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June' and Premier League clubs have either nine or 10 fixtures left to play.

This means that matches would spill-over into July and Ighalo's short-term loan contract at Old Trafford expires on June 30.

The English giants have refused to comment on Ighalo's contract situation and the 30-year-old would be under no obligation to play for the Red Devils after his deal expires but an extension could be arranged.

The former Watford striker's contract with United does not state an option to buy but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently suggested that the club could explore the possibility of signing the Nigerian permanently.

"Odion has done really well since he came in and he’s enjoying himself," Solskjaer said. "And he will improve and get better but he has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season, so let’s see what we will do."

FIFA are also made a statement regarding players who fall into the current situation: "FIFA is analysing the current situation and the potential impact it may have on all areas of football, including player contracts. More information will follow in due course."

Ighalo's current club Shanghai Shenhua were due to start their season on February 22, but it has been shifted to April 18, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus which originated from Wuhan.

He has scored four goals in three United starts, making eight appearances overall, since he sealed a loan move on deadline day in January.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Odion Ighalo has opened up that he could not afford to put a name on his Man United jersey while growing up.

The Nigerian striker is currently living his dream at Old Trafford since his January move from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

And the 30-year-old has impressed and proved doubters wrong scoring three goals in eight match in a Red Devils' shirt.

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