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Manchester United have signed former Watford striker Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season.

The deal to bring the 30-year-old Nigeria international to Old Trafford contains no option to buy.

Ighalo, who is still in China but is expected to fly to the UK in the next few days, scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford between 2014 and 2017.

He then moved to the Chinese Super League, first with Changchun Yatai.

After two seasons he moved to 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.

It is understood there was interest from other Premier League clubs but Ighalo wanted to play for United.

He is United’s first senior loan signing since Radamel Falcao’s arrival from Monaco in 2014.

Earlier on Friday, United ended interest in Bournemouth’s Josh King but did sign Southend United goalkeeper Nathan Bishopfor an undisclosed fee.

United accept Ighalo does not fit the club’s policy of trying to sign long-term targets, such as Bruno Fernandes, who moved to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.

However, this move has been done to cover the short-term injury to Marcus Rashford.

England international Rashford, 22, is out with a stress fracture in his back sustained after coming on as a substitute during the FA Cup third-round replay win against Wolves on 15 January.

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Salomón Rondón is a transfer target for Manchester United after the club missed out on the AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek, who is expected to move to Hertha Berlin for £23 million.

Rondón, the former West Bromwich Albion striker, could be available on loan after the Chinese Super League cancelled the start date of the new season because of the escalation of the coronavirus epidemic. A new start date has not been announced.

Rondón, 30, moved to Dalian Yifang, managed by Rafa Benitez whom the striker played under during a loan spell at Newcastle United in 2018-19 where he scored 11 Premier League goals, for £16.5 million in July.

United, who completed the signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon today

Argentine club Estudiantes have welcomed back Marcos Rojo, with the Manchester United defender joining on loan for the rest of the season.

Rojo, 29, joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £16m in 2014, but he has not featured for United since the 3-1 win over Brighton on 10 November.

The Argentina centre-back began his career at Estudiantes before he joined Spartak Moscow in 2011.

“You always return to the places where you were happy,” tweeted Estudiantes.

“Because the sense of belonging is stronger. Your dream and that of the Pincha Family comes true. We are reunited. Welcome and thanks for coming back, Marcos! We welcome you with the heart!”

Rojo, who has also played left-back for United, has started just 13 games in the past two years, despite him being given a lucrative new contract in March 2018 that lasts until 2021.

His only Premier League start of this season was in United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on 20 October.

Rojo will return to United at the end of this deal, but he has taken a pay cut with this move because he was worried that his lack of game time at United would hamper his chances of being selected for this summer’s Copa America which Argentina are co-hosting with Colombia.

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Bruno Fernandes says he will give “everything” to bring “success and trophies” to Manchester United after joining on a five-and-a-half year deal from Sporting Lisbon.

The midfielder, 25, has joined for 55m euros (£47m) but add-ons could increase the overall cost to 80m euros (£67.7m).

“For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible,” said Portuguese international Fernandes.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the midfielder was a “fantastic addition”.

Fernandes’ move is the biggest in the Premier League so far during the January transfer window – with the deadline at 23:00 GMT on Friday. He follows Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Marcos Rojo in joining Manchester United from Sporting.

His deal, which runs until 2025, also has an option to extend for a further year.

“My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club,” added Fernandes.

“I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies.

“I want to thank Sporting for everything they have done for me. It is surreal to hear the nice words that have been said about me from players that used to play for this team.”

‘Bruno’s stats speak for themselves’

Fernandes joined Sporting for £7.2m from Sampdoria in 2017 and the club’s former manager Carlos Carvalhal told BBC World Service United had signed a player “from another level”.

The midfielder scored 64 goals in 137 matches in all competitions for Sporting and won the Portuguese Cup in 2018-19.

He was named the Primeira Liga’s player of the year in both 2017-18 and 2018-19 and has played 19 times for his country – winning the Uefa Nations League in 2019.

Solskjaer said: “Bruno’s goals and assists stats speak for themselves. He will be a fantastic addition to our team and he will help us push on in the second part of the season.

“We have been tracking Bruno for many months and everyone here has been tremendously impressed with all his attributes and what he will bring to this team.

“Most importantly, he is a terrific human being with a great personality and his leadership qualities are clear for all to see.”

The fee paid to Sporting will increase if a series of conditions are met – including United’s qualification for the Champions League.

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