Manchester United have completed their January pursuit of strikers by signing Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley.
The Netherlands international joined the Clarets last January when they were in the Premier League, but in a frustrating time at Turf Moor he scored just twice in 20 games as the club were relegated to the Championship.
Weghorst then signed on loan at Besiktas and performed well in Turkey, scoring nine goals in 18 games in all competitions before the Red Devils secured his services for a fee of around £2.6m until the end of the 2022 season. /23., in addition to paying Burnley, Besiktas pays 2.5 million pounds to terminate the loan agreement.
Speaking to the club’s website, Weghorst said: “I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United.
“I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the opportunity to pull on the famous red shirt. I’ve seen the progress United have made under Erik ten Hag this season and I can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its goals.
“Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club as long as I’m here.
“I thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to this stage, and now I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting involved straight away.”
Weghorst was signed to provide competition following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure during the World Cup, a tournament in which the former Wolfsburg goal machine scored twice late on against Argentina in the quarter-finals, the latest goal in the 11th minute of the second leg – half stoppage time – as he headed in a brilliant free-kick from Teun Koopmeiners only for Louis van Gaal’s players to crash out of the tournament on penalties.
The Dutchman is expected to be a replacement for Anthony Martial, but with the Frenchman’s tortuous injury record, Erik ten Hag has decided not to rely solely on him in the No.9 role, with Marcus Rashford preferring a wide slot.
However, Weghorst was not registered in time to be in United’s squad for this Saturday’s crucial Manchester derby on BT Sport, and is more likely to make his debut at Crystal Palace four days later.
United currently sit fourth on 35 points, below Newcastle on goal difference having played a game less than the Magpies, while Manchester City are five points behind leaders Arsenal as Pep Guardiola awaits his side’s reaction after a poor performance at Southampton. kicked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Watch all the action from Manchester United v Manchester City at Old Trafford live on BT Sport 1 and Ultimate from 11.30am.