With Erik ten Hag’s appointment as their manager, Manchester United’s Dutch import has continued after agreeing a loan deal for the Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst. Ten Hag had long demanded a striker for his team, which got amplified after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November 2022. The United manager’s desperation for a striker was even evident after he had to field Anthony Elanga, a natural winger as his auxiliary striker against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
However, Ten Hag won’t be posed with such problems anymore as he will finally have his preferred target Weghorst before this weekend at Manchester United. The Red Devils have found a breakthrough in their bid to sign the 6′ 6″ striker, after lengthy and complicated negotiations with his parent club Burnley and current employers Besiktas who brought him in on a season long loan last summer.
Manchester United to pay £2.5m for Weghorst
Wout Weghorst gained stardom after his brilliant display for the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup, where he scored two goals in the dying minutes by coming off the bench in their quarterfinals against Argentina to take the game to the extra-time. Moreover, it was his close finish from a clever set-piece in the last minute of the game, and the infamous clash with Lionel Messi which actually put his names in the headlines.
With many clubs approaching him for move, Besiktas, who signed him from Burnley last summer on a loan deal until the end of current season, were rather happy to keep him. Weghorst has scored an impressive 9 goals and provided 4 assists in 18 games in all competitions so far for the Turkish side, which further convinced Ten Hag. Not only the numbers, the striker’s towering height of 6′ 6″ is deemed as another advantage as well as his playmaking abilities have also been appreciated.
However, it was quite complicated for United to fetch their target, as he was already on loan to Besiktas from Burnley. And the Turkish side was unwilling to take the Red Devils’ load and search for a new striker in the middle of a season. But United have finally been able to convince both Besiktas and Burnley, as they have agreed to pay a compensation of £2.5m [€3m] in order to secure the services of the striker. Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed:
“Manchester United have reached full, verbal agreement to sign Wout Weghorst! Understand deal will cost around €3m to Besiktas — Weghorst will join on loan from Burnley. Final step needed: Besiktas will only approve the deal if they find the right replacement.”
As revealed by the Italian journalist, Besiktas are however yet to fully green light Weghorst’s departure. The Dutchman has already agreed personal terms on a loan until the end of the season with United as he wanted the move from the first minute. Weghorst will be Ten Hag’s fourth import based out of Holland, after the acquisitions of Ajax duo Lisandro Martinez and Antony, and Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia.
However, Besiktas will first have to find his replacement as reported by Romano for the Dutchman to complete his move to Manchester United. Al Nassr’s Vincent Aboubakar, who saw his contract terminated by the club to register Cristiano Ronaldo is being touted as Weghorst’s replacement at Besiktas. All things done and dusted, a loan to United will be Weghorst’s return to Premier League, where he previously fared poorly scoring just 2 goals in 20 games for Burnley last season.