Man United exploring Ighalo options amid coronavirus shutdown

Manchester United are exploring their options as they look to resolve Odion Ighalo's future at the club. United have a loan agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to keep the Nigeria striker at Old Trafford until May 30 but that is unlikely to cover the end of the campaign after the coronavirus pandemic caused football to shut down.

Ighalo has already impressed during his short time at the club, scoring four goals in eight appearances, according to football live data provider iSports API.

FIFA have suggested contracts ending this summer should be extended until the season can be completed, but there is concern at Old Trafford that the proposals will be difficult to implement, particularly given Shanghai Shenhua are likely to want Ighalo to return for the delayed start of the Chinese Super League.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

"It is now obvious that the current season will not end when people thought it would," FIFA said in a statement.

"Therefore, it is proposed that contracts be extended until such time that the season does actually end. A similar principle applies to contracts due to begin when the new season starts, meaning the entry into force of such contracts is delayed until the next season actually does start."

Despite FIFA's guidance, United are considering options that include trying to renegotiate Ighalo's loan, making an offer to Shanghai to buy him permanently or allow the 30-year-old to return to China and risk leaving manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer short of forwards for the rest of the season.

United are keen to have Ighalo available for remaining games in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League and have not ruled out signing the former Watford man permanently, but there is an acceptance Shanghai hold the cards in any negotiations.

Meanwhile, United have triggered the one-year extension in Timothy Fosu-Mensah's contract. The Dutchman has not played for the first team since May 2017 and has had loans spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham, as per iSports football API.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

PSG in ongoing discussions to sign Mauro Icardi permanently

Football live data provider iSports API report that Ligue 1 leaders PSG are in ongoing discussions with Argentinian striker Mauro Icardi and his agent Wanda Nara about moving to the French capital club permanently, with Les Parisiens having a €65m option to buy the player at the end of his season-long loan spell.

Sporting Director Leonardo remains aware that Icardi is seen as one of the best goal-scorers on the European scene and has in recent days been exchanging with Wanda Nara. Icardi’s agent wants clarification on what role her client would have were he to commit to a permanent future with PSG. 

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

In recent weeks, Icardi’s relationship with Thomas Tuchel has utterly disintegrated, with the pair having a heated discussion ahead of the Dortmund clash a notable example of this.

The outlet adds that Juventus continue to monitor this situation, but that PSG have first right to acquire Icardi, should they be able to convince him to stay, as per iSports football API.

Icardi and his camp have not made a definitive decision on his future yet, contrary to a host of Italian reports jumping the gun.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Man United's Sanchez won't take pay-cut to leave

Alexis Sanchez will stick it out at Manchester United rather than leave in a cut-price deal in the next transfer window. Sanchez is spending the season on loan at Inter Milan with United paying a portion of the 31-year-old's salary, according to iSports API football data.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

He would be open to making the move permanent but the Italian side have reservations because of the cost of any potential deal.

Sanchez still has two years remaining on his £500,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford and is reluctant to accept reduced terms, even if it helped to facilitate a move away.

United are aware that the terms of the deal -- agreed when Sanchez arrived in January 2018 -- will make it hard to find a buyer in the summer and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been told he may have to include him in the squad for next season.

Sanchez's preference is to leave United after a disastrous spell during which he only managed just five goals in 45 appearances but accepts he may have to see out his contract, which runs until June 2022, as per football live data provider iSports API.

Sanchez joined Inter in August but injury has seen him restricted to 15 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, as per iSports football API.

If he is forced to stay at United, the former Barcelona and Arsenal star is likely to find first team opportunities even harder to come by.

Solskjaer is determined to revamp his forward line ahead of the new season, with priority placed on securing a right winger, centre forward and an attacking midfielder. Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Harry Kane are among the names in the frame.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Bayern Munich and Thiago Alcântara closing in on contract extension

Ever since his move from Barcelona in 2013, Thiago Alcântara has been one of Bayern’s most consistent performers and ever-present faces in the starting XI.

Seven years later, the soon-to-be 29-year-old is set to be rewarded once again for his efforts.

According to Germain media, Bayern Munich and the Spaniard are close to agreeing on a contract extension that will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Thiago’s current deal is set to expire next summer, having last signed an extension in 2017, according to football live data provider iSports API. Though it’s not clear how long the extension will run for, it’s widely believed that Bayern could offer the midfielder the maximum extension that would see him stay until 2025.

Like many of the Bayern Munich veterans, Thiago boasts an incredible trophy haul, having won a total of 21 major titles with Bayern (13) and Barcelona (eight), as per iSports football data.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Zanetti hopes Lautaro Martinez has long Inter career

Lautaro Martinez is an "asset" for Inter and is happy at the Serie A club despite transfer links, according to their vice-president Javier Zanetti.

Martinez, 22, is reportedly being targeted by the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid after impressing at Inter.

The Argentina international has scored 16 goals in 31 games in all competitions this season,according to iSports football live data API. Zanetti said Martinez was happy at San Siro, where he arrived from Racing Club for a reported €22.7million in 2018.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

"I'm happy to talk about [Lautaro] because when we signed him we had been following him for some time," he told Sky Sport on Thursday.

"He was one of the most promising players in Argentine football and [Diego] Milito thought he'd have a big future.

"Now he's an asset for us and he's grown a lot. I see him training every week. He's happy with us and I hope he stays for a long time."

Martinez had helped Inter sit 3rd, 9 points behind leaders Juventus, in Serie A when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, as per football data provider iSports API.

Zanetti hopes normal life can resume soon in Italy, which has been hit hard by coronavirus, with more than 13,900 deaths.

"Thinking about recovery is very difficult today. Until April 13 it is right to stay home to allow the epidemiological curve to go down, then we will return to normal life gradually," he said.

"We are in a dramatic situation all over the world. The coronavirus is affecting many populations and should not be underestimated."

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Callum Hudson-Odoi 'feeling perfect' after coronavirus scare

Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi admits he is “feeling perfect” after becoming the first Premier League player to test positive for COVID-19.

The coronavirus outbreak has swept through European football, with all five major leagues, the Champions League and Europa League all postponed until further notice, as per football data provider iSports API.

But after a period of self-isolation, Hudson-Odoi insists he is ‘back to normal’ and thanked those supporting him through difficult moments.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

“I am feeling perfect,” he told the club’s official website. “I had the virus which has cleared now. I feel good, feel fit, and back to my normal self.

“I had it [the illness] three weeks ago now, on a Monday when I felt a bit hot and I was thinking this is a bit unusual, ‘why do I feel this hot?’.

“I thought it was just a temperature thing, but obviously it wasn’t. I was lucky to have minor symptoms and support from those around me.”

The 19-year-old was also asked about Euro 2020, and how the postponement to next summer provides him with another opportunity to impress.

“For me it’s an opportunity to prove myself again, keep pushing and hopefully have an opportunity to go,” he added.

“I just want to make sure that I keep pushing myself every game, making sure that I keep trying to score goals and make assists.”

Hudson-Odoi made 25 appearances for the Blues this season, scoring three goals and assisting five，according to iSports livescore football API.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Man United renew interest in Juventus defender De Ligt

Manchester United are prepared to make a renewed bid to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer if the Italian club are ready to listen to offers for the Netherlands international.

De Ligt rejected interest from United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain last summer before completing a €75 million move from Ajax to Juventus as per iSports API, after he captained the Dutch champions during their run to the Champions League semifinals last season.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

But, after signing a five-year deal at Juventus, the 20-year-old has been in and out of the team under coach Maurizio Sarri. According to football data provider iSports API, the defender has started 17 of the club's 26 games in Serie A prior to the shutdown due to the coronavirus crisis in Italy earlier this month.

It's said that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to recruit a centre-back this summer, and the club have already drawn up a list of potential targets, including Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

De Ligt, who earns a £210,000-a-week at Juventus as per iSports football API, is regarded as having the perfect profile for Solskjkaer's United in terms of his age, versatility and character.

There is an acceptance, however, that Juventus are unlikely to sanction the sale of De Ligt after just one year in Turin unless the player seeks a move after a frustrating campaign at the club.

But, should the Italian outfit be prepared to sell the defender, United are ready to make a second attempt to sign the player.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)