John Bennett
BBC World Service Sport

Odion Ighalo left Watford for a move to China in 2017
Odion Ighalo left Watford for a move to China in 2017
Manchester United are growing confident of completing a load deal for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo before the transfer deadline.

United have been heavily linked with Bournemouth's Josh King and Shanghai Shenhua front-man Ighalo, 30.

Earlier BBC Solent learned any pursuit of Bournemouth's King had ended.

But the club are still talking to alternative options and, while there is no deal done, there is a growing feeling United will loan Ighalo.

Ighalo is currently in China, which could complicate the completion of any deal before the deadline at 23:00 GMT.

He scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford between 2014 and 2017.

After two seasons with Chinese side Changchun Yatai he moved to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua and has scored 10 times in 19 games.

His form for his country has been eye-catching - finishing as top scorer in African Cup of Nations qualifying, with seven goals, before scoring five at the tournament during the summer.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51325071