Recent rumors have emerged that English Premier League giants Manchester United FC are planning a £40 million summer swoop for Watford FC striker Odion Ighalo as the team looks to improve their attacking options for next season.

Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal is said to be looking closely at the 26-year-old forward's play in this year's campaign, his debut in the Premier League, with an aim to sign him at the end of the season.

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Ighalo had scored 14 goals in the 24 games he so far played with the Hornets this season. His feat is tied with Manchester City's Sergio Agüero and Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez for fourth place in the England top flight's top goal scorers of 2015-2016.

The Guardian indicated that there are "numerous reports" the Nigerian striker is "on his way" to the Old Trafford this summer even if he had somewhat slowed down recently with only one goal in his last six appearances. The 64-year-old Dutch manager is said to be undeterred by the decline and is still keen on signing him despite the setback.

Caught Offside noted that United have negotiated with the Vicarage Road residents and have tried to pull off a January deadline day move, but it failed to push through at the last minute.

Watford reportedly set Ighalo's release clause to £40 million, which is something the Red Devils are currently contemplating as they plan a second approach in the summer.

It was also reported that Ighalo had turned down a lucrative £300,000 weekly wage offer from a Chinese club during this winter window as he seemed keen on staying in England for the long run.

Ighalo began his senior career with Nigerian clubs Prime FC and Bridge FC from 2005 to 2007 before he signed with Norwegian third division squad Lyn Fotball in September 2007 at age 18. He right away scored in his Tippeligaen debut, starring in a 2-0 win over Viking FK.

He then joined Italian Serie A squad Udinese Calcio in July of 2008, where he spent one season with Bianconeri Friuliani before he was sent on loan to La Liga's Granada and Italian Serie B's Cesena in the following years.

Ighalo first joined Watford on loan from Udinese in July of 2014. Three months later, he was permanently signed by the Hornets, where he had played ever since.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Watford FC, Odion Ighalo, Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal