Manchester United report: Red Devils reach agreement for striker – but there’s a catch

Wout Weghorst Besiktas
(Image credit: Getty)

Manchester United have reportedly agreed terms to sign Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, but Besiktas will only agree to end his loan early if they find a replacement.

The Netherlands international has emerged as Erik ten Hag’s top January target as United look to bolster their attacking options following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Weghorst has been heavily linked with the Old Trafford club in recent days, but the move is complicated by the fact that he’s currently midway through a season-long loan with Besiktas.

Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag wants to bolster his squad in the January transfer window (Image credit: Getty)

According to Fabrizio Romano, United have now managed to reach a “full verbal agreement” to sign Weghorst on loan and Besiktas will receive around €3m in compensation.

However, the Turkish club still need to approve the transfer and won’t do so until they’ve found a new striker to take the Dutchman’s place in their squad.

The journalist claims that Besiktas want that man to be Cameroon international Vincent Aboubakar, whose future at Al-Nassr is up in the air following the arrival of Ronaldo.

Weghorst has been an important player for Besiktas this season, scoring nine goals in 18 games in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Manchester United against Rayo Vallecano in pre-season.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United by mutual consent in November (Image credit: Getty Images)

That included a strike in a 2-1 win over Kasimpasa last weekend, his fifth goal in the last six league outings.

The 30-year-old was part of the Netherlands’ squad at the World Cup in Qatar and provided one of the most spectacular moments of the tournament when he came off the bench to score twice late on and force extra-time in the Oranje’s quarter-final against Argentina.

Louis van Gaal’s side ultimately lost on penalties to the eventual winners, but Weghorst’s impact will live long in the memory.

More Manchester United stories

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has made winning trophies with his 'professional New Year's resolution' for 2023; United haven't claimed any silverware since the League Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho some six years ago.

United are considering a swoop for Mohammed Kudus, who starred for Ghana at World Cup 2022.

And Harry Maguire has laughed off talk that he could join Aston Villa, but Tottenham are interested in the England international.

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio. 

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