Manchester United have confirmed that Wout Weghorst has completed his move to Old Trafford until the end of the season.
The Holland striker was on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, and United agreed a compensation fee with the Turkish club to terminate that agreement.
United, who are also financing all of Weghorst’s wages, have paid £2.6million to Burnley who will hand over £2.5m to Besiktas.
There is no obligation for United to buy the 30-year-old at the end of the season.
Manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that the deal had not been completed in time for the noon deadline on Friday which would have allowed Weghorst to play in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
But the former Wolfsburg and AZ Alkmaar forward said that he is looking forward to playing under his compatriot Ten Hag in the remaining four months of the season.
“I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United,’ said Weghorst, who hit nine goals in 18 games for Besiktas and scored twice for Holland against eventual winners Argentina at the World Cup.
“I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt. I’ve seen United’s progress under Erik ten Hag this season and can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims.
“Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club for as long as I am here.
“I thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to this stage, and now I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting involved straight away.”
Although Weghorst only scored twice in 20 games for Burnley after moving to Turf Moor from Wolfsburg for £12m a year ago, United feel they are getting a proven international goal scorer who, at 6ft 6in in height, gives Ten Hag a different option to what he has in his squad already.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have pegged deadline for prospective buyers of the club to submit bids.
The Red Devils’ owning family, the Glazers, said they want to hear about all the relevant offers by mid-February, 2023.
According to The Mirror, the family who bought the club in a leveraged buyout in 2005, want almost ten times as much as the £790 million they paid for United.
United have been linked to offers from American consortiums, while interest from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have also been mentioned.
Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could make an offer after he previously received calls from the club’s fanbase and ex-United director Michael Knighton to get involved in a takeover, but he poured cold water on the suggestion earlier this year.
However, according to the Telegraph, Ratcliffe is said to be monitoring the situation closely and those in power at Old Trafford anticipate that he will make a bid, even if he has not yet had formal talks over a potential takeover.
However, according to the Telegraph, Ratcliffe is said to be monitoring the situation closely and those in power at Old Trafford anticipate that he will make a bid, even if he has not yet had formal talks over a potential takeover.
Ratcliffe will face major competition to buy United, as the club has received serious interest from the Middle East, Asia and America.