Manchester United were reportedly plotting their move for Odion Ighalo way before the January transfer window even opened.
The Red Devils pulled off one of the most surprising transfers in recent history when they clinched a deal for the former Watford striker last week.
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Odion Ighalo will spend the rest of the 2019/20 campaign representing Manchester United
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The 30-year-old has joined the Premier League giants on loan from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
And while the signing was confirmed in the dying hours of the January window, it appears the transfer was in the pipeline long before the dramatic deadline day climax.
French publication Foot Mercato report that Ighalo was on United’s radar for ‘several weeks’ before the deal eventually came to fruition.
Contact between Ighalo’s representatives and United’s hierarchy is even said to have started BEFORE the January transfer window opened on New Year’s Day, with the striker subsequently sealing his ‘dream move’ to Old Trafford.
As part of the agreement, Man United United will cover Ighalo’s entire salary for the duration of the loan.
He will compete with Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood to lead the line for the Red Devils, with first-choice forward Marcus Rashford currently sidelined until April with a back injury.
United announced on Tuesday that Ighalo will wear the number 25 shirt.
That number has been vacant since Antonio Valencia left the club in the summer.
Ighalo’s debut could come against Chelsea when United return from the winter break at Stamford Bridge on Monday, February 17.
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