ten Hag comments on Man Utd's January transfer plans
Manchester United have already added the signature of Jack Butland in the January transfer window but that is not expected to be the last of Erik ten Hag's business. A new striker is now the Dutchman's top priority as he searches for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wout Weghorst appears to have become the Dutchman's top target with the club reportedly in talks with Besiktas and Burnley over ending his loan deal in the Turkish Super Lig to allow him to come to Old Trafford. The 30-year-old has already appeared to wave goodbye to the club and its supporters with his heart set on a return to the Premier League.
Joao Felix, Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting have also been among the names linked but Ten Hag looks to have settled on his man. In the meantime, Anthony Martial shall remain as the club's sole out and out No 9.
Express Sport will have all the latest news and updates from Old Trafford throughout the day with a particular focus on how Weghorst's move to the club is progressing.
Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Weghorst updates, Maguire to Villa truth, Ronaldo help. (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United are being made to wait to complete the signing of Wout Weghorst.
According to Turkish journalist Gokmen Ozcan, Besiktas are waiting for Vincent Aboubakar to officially leave Al-Nassr before sanctioning Weghorst's exit.
Besiktas want to sign Aboubakar as the Burnley striker's replacement once he leaves for United.
The Turkish giants' refusal to let Weghorst return to England is the only factor now delaying the January deal.
Manchester United have three priority striker targets for when they pursue a long-term fix this summer.
Erik ten Hag is expected to recruit Wout Weghorst on a short deal this month, but United are ready to splash the cash on a new no 9 this summer.
According to ESPN, Napoli's Victor Osimhen, RB Salzburg's Benjamin Sesko and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane are at the forefront of Ten Hag's wishlist.
Besiktas have released a fiery statement on the speculation regarding Weghorst's future, suggesting some of the claims made are 'fictitious'.
The club have denied reports that the player could leave as early as tomorrow as they stamp their authority on the situation.
The statement read: "After the match of our Football A Team against Kasimpasa in the Super League, there was a need to make a statement due to speculative news in the media about our football player Wout Weghorst.
"The claim that there is an exit clause in our football player's contract, stating that his contract can be terminated with compensation of 2.5 million Euros in case of an offer from the Premier League, is fictitious.
"However, the news that the player in question will leave the team on Tuesday is completely untrue. The initiative regarding Wout Weghorst belongs entirely to Besiktas Gymnastics Club. We also state that if there is a development on this issue, our esteemed community and the public will be informed."
With David de Gea's contract currently expiring at the end of the season, United could soon be on the lookout for a new No 1 and Jordan Pickford could be the man.
That is according to Nicolo Schira who reports the Red Devils are interested in signing the England international with Tottenham another of the clubs watching his situation.
Pickford's contract at Everton expires in 2024 and the club may be forced to sell soon to avoid losing him for nothing if he does not agree to an extension.
One striker who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past is Tammy Abraham and the 25-year-old has once again been showing what he can do for Roma.
The former Chelsea man salvaged a point for his side in the 93rd minute against AC Milan as he sent a reminder of his ability to potential suitors with the January transfer window open.
Abraham has struggled to hit the same heights as he did in his first season in Italy this year with his goal at the San Siro just his fourth of the campaign after netting 27 in the 12 months after his arrival from Chelsea.
Express Sport understands that Weghorst's arrival at Old Trafford is subject to two conditions.
The first is the club must agree a compensation deal with the Besiktas The Turkish side's sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci and the player’s agent, Simon Cziommer, are currently involved in private talks as all parties seek an agreement.
Secondly, Besiktas will only let the player go if they have signed a replacement with Vincent Aboubakar first choice as previously reported.
United risk more dressing room strife with Weghorst signing
Erik ten Hag may end up opening up old problems in the dressing room if he can get the deal for Weghorst across the line with the Dutchman falling out with teammates in the past.
The incidents came during his spell with Burnley last season with the frontman said to have rubbed his colleagues up the wrong way with his confidence, as some supposedly taking it as 'bordering on arrogance' according to the Athletic.
Weghorst left Turf Moor on loan following the club's relegation to the Championship, scoring just twice in his six-month spell.
The Red Devils have ruled out moves for Cameroon duo Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting according to the Athletic.
The pair had been linked with a move to Old Trafford but Wout Weghorst has become the club's main target with the club fully focusing their efforts on bringing him to the club.
United have been on the lookout for a new striker since Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious departure on the eve of the World Cup in November.
United remain in discussions for Wout Weghorst as Erik ten Hag seeks to make the striker his second signing of the window.
The deal is complex given there are three teams involved as Besiktas would need to waive their £8.5million option to buy if they cancel his loan.
The Dutchman is keen to move to Old Trafford but has been a key player for the Turkish side this season, scoring nine goals in 18 games including one against Kasimpasa this weekend.
Manchester United are keen to add Wout Weghorst to their ranks. (Image: GETTY)
United captain Harry Maguire will not be moving to Aston Villa despite shock reports linking the centre-back to the West Midlands.
The rumour appears to have stemmed from the fact the 29-year-old was spotted near the Villa training ground leading to bookmakers slashing their odds on the transfer to 1/6.
However, sources close to the club and player have told the Manchester Evening News that the speculation is 'laughable' and he will not be going.
Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Al-Nassr may have inadvertently helped Manchester United in the transfer market.
The Saudi Arabian side were forced to release someone in order meet the Pro League's regulations on the number of foreign players with Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar the one to make way.
He has now become an option to replace Wout Weghorst at Besiktas after previously spending two separate spells at the club, freeing up the Dutchman to move to Old Trafford.
Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage of all the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford as Manchester United make their moves in the January window.
So grab a cup of tea and find a comfortable place to sit as you follow along with us as Erik ten Hag negotiates his second transfer window as Red Devils boss.
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