According to reports from Sky Sports, Manchester United want to speed up the development process of Mason Greenwood and other younger attackers with the signing of an experienced forward like Odion Ighalo.
Greenwood, 18, has had a fine first full season in the United first team. The teenager has scored 12 goals in all competitions, the third-leading scorer for the club behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
But despite the success of Greenwood, United still want to bolster their attacking options by bringing a striker with much experience in the next transfer window.
And Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth says Odion Ighalo is the No 1 target for United after a successful loan period at the club.
“Manchester United have been very impressed and pleased with the progress that Mason Greenwood has made this season,” Sheth said.
“But they do remain in the market for a striker, and the one that they want is a player that is already in their squad, Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua of course.
“Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is very impressed with the impact that Ighalo has made this season and sees Ighalo as a man of experience who can help some of the younger players, including Mason Greenwood.
However, United may be priced out of a deal if they don’t meet the requirements of transfer according to Sheth.
“However, this deal is not as easy as it sounds, he said.
“That’s because Shanghai Shenhua have offered Ighalo a new contract worth around £400,000-a-week.
“That’s simply a wage that Manchester United would not pay.
“Furthermore, Shanghai Shenhua are very, very aware about how well Ighalo has played since he’s gone to Old Trafford and perhaps think that they can raise the asking price from what we thought we would be around £15million to upwards of £25m.
“If United decide not to pursue that deal on a permanent basis, they will still look to bring in a striker of a similar ilk and age and experience of Ighalo to help those youngsters.
“They simply do not want to halt the development and affect the development that Mason Greenwood and the other young players have made.
“In an ideal scenario Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to have four strikers at the club come next season.”
Ighalo has become an inspirational figure for United since his arrival from Shanghai Shenhua in January. He has scored four goals in his last eight appearances for the club.
