Manchester United were interested in Joao Felix but were put off by the high costs of a loan deal with Atletico Madrid.
Wout Weghorst has ‘implored’ Besiktas to release him from his season-long loan so he can join Manchester United.
The Red Devils have made a bid for the Burnley midfielder, who is under contract with the Turkish club until the end of the season.
Erik ten Hag believes the 6ft6in striker will provide an aerial threat to United’s attack and will provide a different dynamic to Anthony Martial.
The 30-year-old joined the Clarets for £12 million from Wolfsburg last January and scored just two goals in 17 Premier League appearances as the Lancashire club was relegated.
However, he has nine goals in 19 games for Besiktas this season and starred for the Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring twice as a late substitute in their quarter-final against Argentina to force extra time before losing in a penalty shoot-out to the tournament’s eventual winners.
Nonetheless, Weghorst believes a move to Old Trafford is too good to pass up, and according to the Times, he has asked Besiktas to respect his wishes.
Weghorst informed club officials of his desire to join the Red Devils prior to Saturday’s match against Kasimpasa, in which he scored and waved goodbye to fans.
Besiktas would prefer to keep the forward, but their finances are said to be “desperate,” and they would accept a fee if Burnley recalled him.
‘There could be a reward for us if we agree to cancel [the loan deal with Burnley],” Besiktas football director Ceyhun Kazanci said.
‘For example, if Burnley told us, ‘Weghorst is joining this team and we’re paying half the fee,’ we’d sit down and talk to them.’
Manchester United director of football John Murtough told Bookmakers Ratings in late December:
“As always, the primary focus is on the summer window, and we’re already well under way with our planning for next summer.
“January is a difficult time to find players who are willing to leave their teams. It goes without saying that we are looking for a new center-forward. We’ll see what’s possible in January, but… we only want to bring in players who are good enough to strengthen the squad.
“We’re not going to sign players just to sign players. You should also keep in mind that we spent over £200 million on the squad last summer, and as a club, we must remain financially disciplined and in compliance with FFP rules.
“So, while we’ll be looking into options, I don’t anticipate a busy January window.”
Manchester United were interested in Joao Felix but were put off by the high costs of a loan deal with Atletico Madrid.
Memphis Depay, the former Old Trafford striker now at Barcelona, is Weghorst’s Dutch teammate and another, albeit different, attacking option, but United are reluctant to agree to a deal that would offer any commitments beyond a six-month loan, which could be a stumbling block for some players.