PSG line up shock move for Odion Ighalo

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly lining up a shock move for the Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo as they look to replace Edinson Cavani.

Ighalo joined Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua as a temporary solution last January but has extended his stay until the next winter.

The 31-year-old has racked up five goals and laid on an assist for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side despite frequently struggling for regular first-team action.

Solskjaer has enjoyed what he saw from the former Watford hit-man and has left the door open for a possible permanent deal.

“It’s a loan, but when you’re in the door and if you impress, it gives you a chance,” he said earlier this year.

“That’s exactly the same for everyone who signs if it’s permanent or it’s a loan.

“If you impress as a player, if you impress as a person, if you can help this group improve, then, of course, there’s a chance that we’ll look at extending things.

“I think he’s probably pinching himself at times because he’s now at his favorite club at the age of 30.

“Hopefully, he’ll prove to you what I think he will. He’s a proven goalscorer, so he’ll do all right.”

But, faced with the imminent departure of the all-time top scorer Edinson Cavani, PSG are plotting a shock summer swoop for Ighalo, report German outlet Fussballtransfers.

The Uruguayan star has failed to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes and seems to be on the verge of joining Benfica as a free agent.

Thomas Tuchel already has intimidating firepower at his disposal, but with Mauro Icardi now the only classic No 9, the German manager wants to bring in another striker.

Ighalo was impressive at Watford before swapping the Premier League for the Chinese Super League in 2016.

Indeed, a telling tally of 16 goals and five assists England’s top-tier back in 2015/16 earned the Nigerian a lucrative £400,000-a-week deal in Asia.