Aston Villa reject the chance to sign forward who joins Manchester United

Struggling Premier League side Aston Villa rejected the chance to sign Odion Ighalo just 24 hours before his surprise move to Manchester United. 

The Nigerian international completed a dramatic late move to Old Trafford on the Transfer Deadline Day as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was desperate to add a new striker to his squad before the transfer window slammed closed. 

The former Watford striker joined on an initial six-month loan deal for £3million from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, with the Red Devils paying a third of his enormous £300,000-a-week wages. 

The forward has been brought in as emergency cover for star forward Marcus Rashford, who could be a long-term absentee following his stress fracture at the back. 

However, according to reports, Ighalo could have joined Aston Villa before Manchester United struck the deal. But, Dean Smith's side decided against the move. 

Dean Smith lost his record signing Wesley Moraes for the rest of the season when he suffered a horror knee injury and it meant that they had all the reasons to strengthen up front. 

The Lions did sign forward Mbwana Samatta for around £8.5m with the Tanzanian making his debut against Leicester on Tuesday. 

But the Aston Villa gaffer was determined to bring in another striker before Friday's deadline as his side look to avoid relegation and Ighalo was one of the options they identified. 

The Midlands club managed to get Borja Baston through the door on a free transfer from Swansea on the final day of the window. 

Boyhood Red Devils fan Ighalo will fly to Manchester on Saturday to join up with his new team-mates after sealing his dream move, which has no option to be made permanent in June however. 

As he is not going to fly out of Wuhan, the region in China hit by the Corona virus, he will not have to go into a two-week isolation. 

Manchester United boss Solskjaer told United's official website: “Odion is an experienced player. 

“He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he’s staying with us. 

“A great lad and very professional, he will make the most of his time here.”

Featured Image Credits- Sky Sports