One of Manchester United's main priorities this summer is expected to be signing a back-up striker for Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wout Weghorst could be an option on a loan deal.
Last season United's forward department at the club was lacking in-depth and quality. Cristiano Ronaldo had a very good season scoring 18 goals in the Premier League, winning the league's Player of the Month twice, being awarded the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, and also being included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season.
Right now though, he is also the only striker that the club would certainly count on. There's uncertainty around Anthony Martial's future and recently Edinson Cavani has left on a free deal after his contract expired.
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This explains why the Reds were in for Benfica's striker Darwin Nuñez, but the player instead preferred to join United's direct rivals Liverpool.
It's an understandable decision considering the state of Manchester United in recent years. Christopher Nkunku would've been a decent alternative, but his club is reluctant to sell the French striker for anything less than £100m. And Manchester United wouldn't afford that based on their reported budget this summer.
So it's wise to have a look at sensible alternatives on cut-price. One of them would be the Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who has admitted he is actively looking to leave Burnley this summer after the club was relegated from the Premier League.
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The six foot and six inch striker has scored only two goals in his time at the Turf Moor since his move from the Bundesliga in January, but that doesn't show us the full story of how good he actually is.
The 29-year-old striker has scored 161 goals and assisted 49 in 389 games. He spent most of his career in Germany and the Netherlands playing for teams like Wolfsburg & AZ Alkmaar.
The strengths of his game are hold-up play, passing, link-up, off-the-ball work rate, being a threat in set-pieces, good box movement, and most importantly finishing.
Burnley were in the relegation battle for most of the time last season and it is well known that they don't create a multitude of chances for their forward men. It was a difficult task joining them mid-season and is not a true reflection of his abilities.
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If he was to join United, this lack of service would not be the case under Erik ten Hag, who will be looking to get the best out of the creative players the club such as Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, and Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag would love a player of Weghorst's calibre, having worked with another intelligent pure striker in Sebastian Haller, who has many similar attributes.
The Dutch striker recently confirmed that he will be departing the English side the he joining six months ago.
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"I am just ambitious and also it's about the national team. The coach Louis van Gaal wants us to play at a high level," He explained. "There are some options for me in a higher potential league than the Championship.
"I have to take the chances offered there. We will see what the future will bring."
His next move will be made keeping in mind the World Cup is on the horizon and he has to play consistently at a higher level to convince his national team manager Louis Van Gaal to count him in his plans.
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According to reports from Germany; Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt are considering reuniting former VfL Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst with his former coach Oliver Glasner. He also has other offers from two teams from Turkey.
The only obstacle that might be in United's way for this signing would be the lack of guaranteed play-time for the Dutchman under Ten Hag in comparison to his other suiters.
But, with the side in the Europa League and Ronaldo at almost 38 years of age, there would definitely be some generous rotation for the forward if he was to join.
Weghorst will be available on loan this summer, if the Red Devils decide to go for him it will be a low-risk high-reward move.
Topics: Manchester United, Transfers, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Erik Ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Burnley, Netherlands
Natnael Manaye