Besiktas have responded to shock rumours linking loan striker Wout Weghorst with a January switch to Manchester United.
Widespread reports emerged on Saturday causing plenty of surprise among the respective fanbases that in-form United were pursuing a short-term transfer for the Netherlands international until the end of the season.
Erik ten Hag is desperate for attacking additions in the current mid-season window, having admitted that the injury-prone Anthony Martial cannot manage the heavy workload in support of Marcus Rashford, with Cristiano Ronaldo now having long since departed.
Towering targetman Weghorst is currently on a season-long loan at Besiktas from Championship leaders Burnley, scoring nine goals in 18 appearances after managing just two in an unhappy six-month Premier League spell at Turf Moor last term that resulted in relegation and followed a £12million move from Wolfsburg in Germany.
The AZ Alkmaar frontman - who started three games for the Netherlands at the recent World Cup in Qatar and scored twice in the quarter-final thriller against Argentina - notched what proved to be a late first-half winner for the Turkish giants in their 2-1 Super Lig victory over Kasimpasa on Saturday, after which he produced a celebration that appeared to be saying goodbye to the fans.
However, Besiktas have since come out firing, insisting that Weghorst can’t simply just leave Vodafone Park without their approval and claiming that they will need to be suitably compensated by Burnley to tolerate the termination of his loan deal, which includes the option for a €10m permanent move in the summer.
“Weghorst is an important player for us. It is not enough to say goodbye to the audience. He also needs to talk to the club,” said Besiktas boss Senol Gunes.
“I have heard of such a development, but it is not clear. I’ll consider [him] leaving after I talk to both him and the club.”
Meanwhile, Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci told Turkish outlet Fanatik: “I don’t understand why Weghorst said goodbye to the fans, why he made such a move.
“He is our football player right now. Our contract expires at the end of the season. If Manchester United or any other team wants Weghorst, they will meet with Burnley anyway.
“Burnley will then contact us and discuss the terms of separation. If we accept, the contract will be terminated. Otherwise, it will go on until the end of the season. He can’t just go.
“There will have to be a reward for us to approve the separation. I’ll give an example. Burnley told us, ‘We made a deal with this team for Weghorst. We give you half of the transfer fee’. This may be a different condition. Then we’ll sit down and talk.”
