Manchester United open to permanent Odion Ighalo deal?

Manchester United could be prepared to seal the permanent signing of Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

The Nigeria international joined the Red Devils on a temporary deal from Shenhua before the January transfer deadline and he is expected to provide competition for the striker's role alongside Anthony Martial.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are open to the prospect of handing the marksman with a permanent contract in five months' time but that would depend on his performances during the current campaign.

United have lacked a striker with a physical presence since the departure of Romelu Lukaku last summer and Ighalo will be expected to take up a similar role while contributing goals on a regular basis.

Ighalo has netted 16 times in the Premier League previously with Watford and United will be hoping that he can find the form from the 2015/16 season where he scored 15 of those goals for the Hornets.