When Manchester United have to register Wout Weghorst by to feature in Manchester Derby

The Red Devils remain hopeful of striking a deal

January 09, 2023 at 10:22 am GMT

Manchester United have until midday on Friday to wrap up a deal for Wout Weghorst should he be able to play any part in the Manchester derby this weekend.

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a short-term addition to their frontline, and have identified the Netherlands man as the answer to their issue after being priced out of a move for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.

“Strikers are expensive, especially in the winter,” Ten Hag explained last month. “But you have to set the limits high. We’re looking for it. We need to be creative and do everything we have in our power to get the right players in, who are fitting in the balance”.

And they appear to have found it in Netherlands attacker Weghorst, who scored twice against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final last month.

Lusail, Qatar. 09th Dec, 2022. Wout Weghorst of Netherlands reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Quarter Final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar on 9 December 2022. Photo by Peter Dovgan. Editorial use only, l 2M13RTC Lusail, Qatar. 09th Dec, 2022. Wout Weghorst of Netherlands reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Quarter Final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar on 9 December 2022. Photo by Peter Dovgan. Editorial use only, license required for commercial use. No use in betting, games or a single club/league/player publications. Credit: UK Sports Pics Ltd/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

Weghorst, who spent the second half of last season with Burnley in the Premier League but could not prevent them from being relegated, is currently on loan with Turkish side Besiktas, making any deal more complicated.

As per the Athletic, however, a deal has been agreed which will see Manchester United pay Besiktas £2.5m for agreeing the termination of his loan deal, leaving Weghorst free to make the switch to Old Trafford.

To be a part of Ten Hag’s squad for the Manchester Derby this weekend, any move will have to have had the relevant paperwork completed and submitted by midday on Friday, just over 24 hours before the showpiece kicks off at Old Trafford.

Victory for Erik ten Hag’s side would leave them just a point behind their ‘noisy neighbours’, with Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand but that game being against current Premier League leaders Arsenal.