Paris Saint-Germain plan audacious bid for Ighalo as a replacement for Edinson Cavani

FRENCH champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are lining up a surprise bid for Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo as a replacement for Uruguayan targetman Edinson Cavani whose seven year spell with the club has just ended.

Ighalo, 31, is currently on loan to Manchester United from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and when his initial six month contract ended, it was extended until January. His scintillating form led Manchester United manager Ole Gunner Solksjaer to enter into some hard bargaining with the Chinese side to allow him keep the striker despite their initial objections.

Under the terms of the deal between the two clubs, Ighalo will return to China when his contract at Old Trafford expires on December but PSG now want to wade into the matter. Apparently, PSG sporting director Leonardo Araújo has drawn up a shortlist of possible targets and Ighalo is one of them.

Highly ambitious PSG are said to even be looking at the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo amid rumours Juventus is looking to get him off its wage bill. According to

French publication Foot Mercato, PSG have already made contact with Ighalo’s representatives about a possible transfer.

PSG splashed out £52m to sign Mauro Icardi on a permanent basis earlier this summer but are looking for another attacking player to provide competition. In addition, 19-year-old Arnaud Kalimuendo has been integrated into the first-team squad ahead of next season but PSG still want to bring in a more experienced and reliable striker.

Ighalo, top scorer at the last Africa Cup of Nations announced his retirement from the Super Eagles last year July but surprisingly, his profile has soared ever since. Manchester United signed Ighalo on loan on the last day of the January transfer window in a shock move and apart from his impressive form, PSG realise he would be a much cheaper option than some of the other targets in their sights.

Cavani, meanwhile, is still searching for a new club after seven-year spell at the club came to an end last month. Newly-promoted Leeds were in the race to sign the 33-year-old Uruguayan but now face an uphill task to get a deal over the line with Bayern Munich and Benfica the current favourites to land his signature.