Watch: Fabrizio Romano delivers major update on Weghorst to Man Utd

There’s been a major breakthrough in Manchester United’s pursuit of Netherlands international Wout Weghorst, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

News emerged over the weekend that Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are attempting to sign Weghorst in this mid-season transfer window.

There appeared to be something in the reports when the 30-year-old striker appeared to gesture goodbye to the Besiktas fans after scoring in their 2-1 Turkish Super Lig victory over Kasimpasa on Saturday.

It’s a year since Weghorst first arrived in the Premier League. He’d established a reputation as a handy centre-forward during his time at Wolfsburg, having scored 59 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances for the club.

Following Chris Wood’s surprise move to newly-minted Newcastle United, relegation-scrappers Burnley acted fast to secure the Dutchman’s signature.

But Weghorst only scored two goals in 20 Premier League appearances for the Clarets, who sacked Sean Dyche and ended up going down in a dramatic final day.

Burnley look set to return to the Premier League, having been led to the top of the Championship table by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany. But Weghorst didn’t stick around at Turf Moor to play in the second tier – in the summer he joined Besiktas on loan.

It’s that loan aspect that has made a potential move to Old Trafford somewhat complicated. He’s scored nine goals in 18 Super Lig appearances for Besiktas but doesn’t look like staying in the Turkish capital.

Ten Hag confirmed that he’s looking for a new striker following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in November and it looks as though his compatriot Weghorst is his target.

And, according to Fabrizio Romano, it sounds like the Manchester United manager will be getting his wish, with Weghorst looking likely to sign for the club in the coming days.

“We have an important exclusive update on the new striker of Manchester United, Wout Weghorst,” the Italian transfer reported began in his latest YouTube update.

“From what I’m told, during the afternoon of Tuesday, reached full agreement with all the parties involved in the Weghorst deal.

“So, agreement with the player, on the salary, on the contract, it’s done. Agreement with Besiktas – the Turkish club will receive, from what I’m told, €3million for Weghorst to interrupt the loan deal from Burnley. They had a loan with a buy option, which will be interrupted.

“Agreement also with Burnley. Manchester United will sign Weghorst on loan from Burnley. So there is an agreement with all parties involved in the deal.

“Why can’t we say ‘here we go’ yet? Of course it’s a matter of minutes, hours, days. Because Besiktas – before giving the final approval to the deal and saying ‘okay, let’s sign the documents, let’s complete the deal’ – again it’s verbally agreed, but it’s not signed. Because Besiktas are waiting to sign a replacement for Weghorst.

“So they need the new striker. [Vincent] Aboubakar is the priority. They love the player and they are trying to sign him Al Nassr. This is the final step needed, and then Weghorst will be able to join Manchester United as their new striker.

“I’m told the player already had conversations with Erik ten Hag. They are, of course, Dutch, and Erik ten Hag wanted a different kind of striker, with different skills.”