Besiktas director’s claim about Wout Weghorst’s bargain buy option clause

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Manchester United’s move to sign Wout Weghorst is expected to be completed over the next 24 hours.

United need him officially registered before 12pm Friday so he can play in the weekend’s Manchester derby, although an official announcement could come a little later on.

Weghorst, 30, is signing on loan from Burnley for the rest of the season, after his loan at Besiktas was terminated.

The striker scored eight goals in 16 matches for Besiktas this season, also providing four assists.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Besiktas director claimed buy clause

Besiktas swooped in the summer to sign Weghorst on loan from Burnley, rescuing him from an unhappy situation. Having signed for the Clarets last January, he ended the season as a Championship, after the side were relegated.

A move to the Turkish Super Lig got his career back on track, and amid an impactful performance for Netherlands at the World Cup, Besiktas began to dream of buying Weghorst permanently.

The club’s sporting director Ceyhun Kazancı told CNN Turkey in December that there was an option to buy Weghorst next summer at just £8.8 million.

He said: “Weghorst has a purchase option of 10 million Euros. Wout Weghorst is very used to Turkey and is happy here.”

However, prophetically he was mindful not to get carried away, commenting: “You shouldn’t get too hung up on the option.”

One month later Besiktas have lost out, with Manchester United tempting the striker away. A £2.5 million loan fee will be split by Burnley and the Turkish side, with the striker heading to Old Trafford for the rest of the season, and the reported ‘purchase clause’ part of the contract which has been ripped up.

No expected option in United agreement

There are no reports indicating Manchester United have a purchase option in the loan deal to sign Wout Weghorst.

If Weghorst performs well, then a conversation may be had about signing him permanently in the summer.

But don’t bet on it being as cheap as £8.8 million. Playing for Manchester United means a vastly increased profile, and Burnley will probably treble that asking price as a minimum.

It’s the Manchester United tax the club have been used to, and Besiktas will be kicking themselves at not finding a way to pay the money outright, earlier.

United have stolen the striker away from the Turkish side, and can be satisfied at a shrewd piece of business, which would only look smarter if the same release clause was in Weghorst’s new deal.