Man Utd hope to capitalise on ‘desperation’ as Weghorst agent and Besiktas break silence

Matt Stead
Man Utd target Wout Weghorst

Besiktas and the agent of Wout Weghorst have spoken out after the striker outlined his desperation to join Man Utd in the January transfer window.

Weghorst has emerged as a surprise – but also entirely predictable – short-term target for Man Utd this month as Erik ten Hag seeks to add a forward to his squad on a strict budget.

After overspending in the summer market, Man Utd have restricted themselves to loans or any other moves with a low enough cost, bringing Weghorst onto their radar.

The giant Dutch striker is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley and Man Utd hope they can persuade both parties to do a deal.

It seems that Weghorst is trying to play his part after the 30-year-old marked a goal against Kasimpasa at the weekend by kissing the club’s badge and waving goodbye to the fans.

Simon Cziommer, the player’s agent, told Turkish outlet Fanatik: “Everything is fine. There is no problem. Wout just made a celebration.”

There were also comments from the sporting director of Besiktas, Ceyhun Kazanci, with thanks to Sport Witness for the translation.

“I don’t understand why Weghorst said goodbye to the fans, why he made such a move,” he told NTV Spor.

“He is our football player right now. Our contract expires at the end of the season.

“If Manchester United or any other team want Weghorst, they will meet with Burnley anyway. Burnley will then contact us and discuss the terms of separation. If we accept, the contract will be terminated. Otherwise, it will go on until the end of the season.

“He can’t just go. There will have to be a reward for us to approve the separation. I’ll give an example. Burnley told us, ‘We made a deal with this team for Weghorst. We give you half of the transfer fee.’ This may be a different condition. Then we’ll sit down and talk.”

Besiktas manager Senol Gunes underlined the club’s stance during the post-match press conference by saying they will not simply release Weghorst, but his concession that “there is an economic and administrative side” to every transfer hinted at Man Utd’s possible position of strength.

The Sunday Times say Besiktas ‘are in desperate need of money’ so might see even a small fee as enough compensation, with Burnley said to be in negotiations with the Turkish club. There is no recall clause in the loan but the likelihood is that it will be cancelled and immediately taken up by Man Utd.

Weghorst, who reportedly ‘pleaded’ with the Besiktas president to let him move to Old Trafford before the Kasimpasa game, will seemingly get his ‘dream move’.

Manchester United Wout Weghorst