Wout Weghorst takes big step towards Man Utd transfer

Stuart Telford

• 12 Jan 2023 09:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Wout Weghorst's transfer to Manchester United is drawing closer with the Dutch striker having already collected his belongings and left Istanbul.

Weghorst bade farewell to Besiktas fans after scoring in the 2-1 win over Kasimpasa last Saturday, but the club's general manager Ceyhun Kazanci subsequently poured cold water on the idea that he could leave.

"If we accept [sufficient compensation], the loan will be terminated," he said. "Otherwise, he'll continue until the end of the season. He can't leave like this."

READ: Dutch legend Sneijder STUNNED by Man Utd's Weghorst pursuit

Weghorst is owned by Burnley and was only in Turkey on a temporary basis, but it appears that all three clubs have now come to a financial agreement to make the move possible, with the Dutch striker no longer available to Besiktas.

'Weghorst leaving Istanbul'

"Wout Weghorst is leaving Istanbul after collecting his belongings!" Turkish TV channel A Spor posted on Twitter. "Weghorst will not be in the squad for the Konyaspor match [on Saturday]!"

None of the clubs in question have gone public with the fee involved, but Burnley would hope to at least match the €17.5 million they paid for his services in January.

READ: Weghorst prepared to pay MILLIONS for Man Utd move

Weghorst disappointed in his six months with Burnley, scoring just twice in 20 games as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League, but his overall pedigree should inspire United fans with more confidence.

Weghorst scored double digits for goals in each of his three full Bundesliga seasons, and struck twice for the Netherlands against eventual champions Argentina at the recent World Cup in Qatar.

Weghorst has been signed, ostensibly, to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who was released on a free on the eve of the World Cup after giving an unsanctioned interview to Piers Morgan in which he slammed the club, its Glazer family ownership, and manager Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo has since joined Al Nassr, who have freed Vincent Aboubakar to make space for him in the squad. Aboubakar could now join Besiktas, completing the circle.