Manchester United are yet to make an offer to Shanghai Shenhua for Odion Ighalo, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful the club can extend his loan spell so he can “finish off what he started.”
Ighalo’s current loan spell is due to expire on Sunday, and United remain in talks to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
Shenhua will only agree to a permanent deal or an extension to his loan that incorporates an obligation to buy, but Ighalo would be likely to cost upwards of £20m.
But Solskjaer still has belief an arrangement can be found to allow Ighalo to complete the season with United, the club he grew up supporting as a boy.
“The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back,” Solskjaer told MUTV.
“We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club.
“It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”