Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst is closing in on becoming the latest striker to sign for Manchester United.
The Athletic report that the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign the towering 30-year-old marksman on loan from Burnley for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
Besiktas, who signed the 19-time Netherlands international on loan from the Clarets on a season-long loan with the option of making his stay in Istanbul permanent, will receive a £2.5million compensation payment from the twenty-time league champions due to Weghorst’s stay in Turkey ending prematurely.
Following the mutual termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in November, Erik ten Hag wanted to fill the void left by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner by signing a replacement during the January transfer window.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
But after spending over £200m during the summer, United didn’t have the money available to sign the likes of Cody Gakpo and Ten Hag had to instead utilise the loan market.
United will be hoping to register Weghorst as a new signing by 12pm on Friday so he can form part of the matchday squad for the derby on Saturday.
Fabrizio Romano reported that the former Wolfsburg striker was set to undergo his medical today, and the Oranje striker, who scored two goals at the 2022 World Cup, was pictured arriving at the Istanbul airport by DHA Spor.
Manchester United’s previous loan striker signings ranked
In the last seven years, United have signed the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Ronaldo. The imminent arrival of Weghorst continues the theme of the Busby Babes signing strikers who are aged 30 and over.
But with the Dutchman seemingly Old Trafford bound, United in Focus has ranked Manchester United’s previous loan striker signings.
- Carlos Tevez
Manchester United signed the Argentine on a two-year loan in August 2007, but instead of joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds on a permanent deal, the former West Ham United striker joined Manchester City.
During his time at Old Trafford, Tevez was part of a lethal trident alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
The 38-year-old, who called time on his playing career in the summer, won back-to-back Premier League titles with the Reds as well as the Champions League, Club World Championship and League Cup.
The 76-time Argentina international finished his United career with 34 goals and 14 assists from 99 appearances.
2. Henrik Larsson
The legendary Swede may have only been at the Theatre of Dreams for a brief period during the 2006-07 campaign, but his impact was clear to see.
The former Celtic and Barcelona striker made the move to M16 during the off season of the Swedish top-flight.
Playing alongside youngsters Ronaldo and Rooney, Larsson scored three goals from 13 appearances before returning to Helsingborg.
3. Odion Ighalo
The Nigerian spent 12 months at Old Trafford following his loan move from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on the final day of the 2020 January transfer window.
The former Watford man was only originally set to spend six months with United, but his deal was extended during the Covid-19 effected period.
The 33-year-old scored five goals in 23 appearances for United before returning to China. He’s currently banging in the goals in Saudi Arabia.
4. Radamel Falcao
If Louis van Gaal had signed the Colombian in his prime then things could have turned out very differently.
But having recovered from his second cruciate knee ligament injury of his career, Falcao moved to United on loan from Ligue 1 giants Monaco.
Adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League is always a big challenge for foreign players, but off the back of a serious injury, Falcao looked a shadow of his former self and flopped at Chelsea the following year too.
The 36-year-old, who is playing alongside fellow former Red Devil Bebe for La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, scored just four goals in 29 appearances for United.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
