Transfer Centre

Besiktas president provides update on Wout Weghorst future

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 January 2023

Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi says that Manchester United-linked Wout Weghorst will be allowed to leave once the club have signed a replacement.

Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi has said that on-loan forward Wout Weghorst will be allowed to leave once the Turkish giants have signed a replacement.

Weghorst is wanted by Manchester United this month, with the Red Devils in discussions with the striker's parent club Burnley over a loan move to Old Trafford.

A deal for the Netherlands international is complicated by the fact that he is currently on loan at Besiktas, who also have the option to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

However, Man United are said to be increasingly confident that they will be able to sign the 30-year-old in the near future.

Besiktas have allegedly identified Vincent Aboubakar as their main target, with the Cameroon international able to leave Al-Nassr following Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at the club.

Wout Weghorst celebrates scoring for the Netherlands against Argentina on December 7, 2022 © Reuters

Cebi has confirmed that the Turkish giants will allow Weghorst to end his loan agreement early providing that a "quality striker' is signed as a replacement.

"With the victories over Adana Demirspor and Kasimpasa we have caught a good mood again," Cebi told Milliyet.

"In this critical period, I will not leave the team without a striker. If we agree on the terms after getting in a quality striker, then we will send Weghorst away. Otherwise, Weghorst will stay in the team."

According to journalist Gokmen Ozcan, Weghorst did not train with Besiktas on Wednesday, as he attempts to force a move to Old Trafford.

The attacker has also allegedly already cleared out his locker at the club in a clear sign that he is expecting to link up with Erik ten Hag's side in the near future.

Burnley's Wout Weghorst on February 8, 2022 © Reuters

Weghorst has been in impressive form for Besiktas during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring nine goals and registering four assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.

The forward is still contracted to Burnley, having made the move to Turf Moor in January 2022 off the back of scoring 70 goals and registering 22 assists in 144 appearances for Wolfsburg.

Weghorst only managed two goals and three assists in 20 appearances for the Clarets last term, though, and he departed on loan following their relegation to the Championship.

"I don't understand why Weghorst said goodbye to the fans, why he made such a move. He is our football player right now. Our contract expires at the end of the season," Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci recently told Fanatik.

"If Manchester United or any other team wants 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."

Man United are looking to sign a new striker this month to boost their attacking options, having terminated Ronaldo's contract at the end of November.