Odion Ighalo has labelled Lille striker Victor Osimhen as "the future" amid links with a move to Manchester United.

Osimhen recently emerged as a rumoured target for the Red Devils after registering 13 goals in 27 Ligue 1 outings this term.

The 21-year-old, under contract with Lille until 2024, has also been touted as an option for Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Amid the growing interest in his Nigerian compatriot's signature, United loanee Ighalo has heaped praise on Osimhen and backed him to break a number of records.

"I talk to Osimhen, he's a very nice boy, young, he's a good guy," he told Elegbete TV. "We talk, not almost every day, but almost every time I advise him. He's the future of Nigerian football. He's the future, he's going to do so well in football.

"I always advise him to keep calm, keep working hard and the guy is going to be a celebrity, you know.

"He came to watch our game against Club Brugge in Belgium because it's closer to where he lives, he messaged me he was going to come so I gave him my jersey, and in fact he brought his own jersey for me, too.

"Osimhen is a nice boy, we're from the same place. I love him, he's down to earth, he's hard working, he has a future and he has the mentality of a winner, that's what I love about him. He has that lion's heart. I love him, I just want him to keep working hard the way he's doing, he's going to break many records in Europe and Nigeria."

Ighalo is expected to remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season, with United reportedly ready to hand over £15m to sign him permanently from Shanghai Shenhua.