Ighalo takes 50% pay cut
Odion Ighalo reportedly took a 50% pay cut to make his dream move to Manchester United a reality, but still earns £165,000-a-week.
The Nigerian forward was one of the biggest talking points of transfer deadline day.
Manchester United were linked with multiple strikers, including Edinson Cavani and Islam Slimani, in an attempt to find cover for the injured Marcus Rashford.
Though, it was reported late in the window that Odion Ighalo was actually a target.
Eventually, a loan deal got done and Ighalo made his dream a reality, even though he needed to take a 50% pay cut.
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 22: Odion Ighalo of Nigeria looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The details behind Ighalo’s move
According to the Mail, Ighalo was on £330,000-a-week at Shanghai Shenhua.
Though, to make his Manchester United move happen, he will now earn £165,000-a-week until the end of the season.
That is still a lot of money to pay a squad player, while United will also have to pay Shanghai Shenhua a £4million loan fee.
Speaking to Man United’s media team, Ighalo admitted he took the pay cut to make his dream move happen.
‘People that know me, even back in Nigeria, and even when I was playing at Watford, my team-mates knew that I loved Man United, I support them,’ he explained.
‘When I played against Man United, that emotion is there, because it is my dream.
‘It is a nice reality, so I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to start.’
‘So, from 11pm, there was paperwork, negotiating and all that, for the loan deal and all that, so we are talking and other teams are calling them, wanting me, but I told my agent that this is what I want.
‘He said you’re going to get a pay-cut to go to United. I said I don’t care. Make this deal happen. I want to go to United. I don’t care how much is the pay-cut, I know that, make it happen.’
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