Ighalo deserves permanent Man United deal - Simon

Nantes loanee, Moses Simon has opined that his fellow Nigerian Odion Ighalo, 31, deserves to get a permanent deal with Manchester United.

Ighalo's loan deal with United has been hampered by the effect of COVID-19 and is due to expire on May 31, and his parent club Shanghai Shenhua are keen for him to return.

While talks have been at a standstill between his parent club Shenhua and the Red Devils, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he wants Ighalo to finish off what he started ta Old Trafford.

TribalFootball on Tuesday quoted Ighalo's agent, Ladi Salami, to have told Foot Mercato that an agreement was 'very close'.

"If the Manchester United deal can be sealed permanently, not just a loan deal, I think it will be good for his football, his family and for Nigeria football," the Levante-owned midfielder said in an interview with Tribalfootball.

"Odion Ighalo has proved to be a good striker in Man Utd in the few games he played.

"It will be good for Nigeria football to see Ighalo succeed at Old Trafford. He has shown good qualities of succeeding already."

Ighalo scored four goals in eight appearances for United before the coronavirus pandemic halted matches.