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Odion Ighalo shirt number: The seven options for potential Man Utd deadline day signing
Manchester United are hopeful of signing Odion Ighalo by tonight's 11pm transfer deadline.
Man Utd targeting Josh King is 'a late bid' says expert
Manchester United target Odion Ighalo to make a late move to Old Trafford before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline. But what number could the ex-Watford striker wear if a deal can be completed in time tonight?
United have been after a striker for much of the January transfer window and their efforts became more desperate after Marcus Rashford’s injury.
Rashford was ruled out until March with a back problem he sustained in an FA Cup win over Wolves.
United have since been linked with Edinson Cavani and Moussa Dembele, but both players will stay with their respective clubs PSG and Lyon.
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Mason Greenwood is United’s only recognised striker and United are desperate to secure someone before tonight’s deadline.
Josh King looked likely but Sky Sports and the BBC are reporting that a deal looks to be off.
United are thought to have told Bournemouth that they were no longer interested in pursuing King.
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Ighalo has since emerged as the frontrunner target for United but a deal is yet to be completed, with four hours of the window to go.
But if Ighalo were to sign, what shirt number could he wear? Seven options are open for the Nigerian to explore.
At previous clubs, namely Udinese and Granada, Ighalo has worn the No 16, No 7, No 89 and No 25.
Ighalo then moved to Watford and played for them in the Premier League, scoring 16 goals in the 2015/16 season while wearing the No 24.
Since moving to China, he’s played for two clubs - Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua, where he’s worn the No 9.
If he were to move to United, the two big numbers available for forwards are the No 7 and No 11.
The No 7 was previously worn by Alexis Sanchez while Anthony Martial wore the No 11.
List of available squad numbers at Man Utd (up to 30)
7 - Alexis Sanchez on loan at Inter Milan
11 - last worn by Anthony Martial
12 - Chris Smalling on loan at Roma
19 - last worn by Marcus Rashford
25 - last worn by Antonio Valencia
27 - last worn by Marouane Fellaini
30 - last worn by Matteo Darmian