Wout Weghorst could be an ‘inspired’ transfer for Manchester United in helping them achieve their goals for a low-cost price, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, speaking exclusively to FootballTransfers.
Weghorst desperately wants this opportunity, and you can understand why, because he still feels like he owes something to the Premier League. It didn’t work out at Burnley, but his form has picked up since, culminating with his brace against Argentina in the World Cup.
United will be very glad of it too because their key priority within this window is to bolster the squad and support Erik ten Hag and bring in more of a traditional forward, but at the same time not break the bank.
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The club have always had a history of moving for shorter term deals and surprising us with slightly older names, many of which have worked out, and this transfer could easily fall into that category.
It won’t be the type of signing that instantly excites the fanbase, but a physical and confident player who is desperate for this opportunity to prove something in the Premier League might be able to weigh in with the kind of key goals that will help United finish in the top four.
Manchester United fans, naturally, would have wanted Cody Gakpo and also to see some kind of financial flex or ambition in regards to other names, but sometimes it’s not about the name being a star, it’s about a fit.
Given Manchester United, over previous transfer windows and multiple managers, have shown a fair amount of spending, but not a lot of fit, why not try it the other way around and make a sensible signing that is a little bit left field but fills the void and priority for United?
Patience and progress is the name of the game for United
This season comes down to two things – qualify for the Champions League on the pitch and resolve the ownership off it. It does look like the Glazers will be outgoing and potentially by the end of this season and then they will have stability with either a new owner or still potentially an investor.
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As they plan under Ten Hag, if Champions League football is added to that, they become in a very healthy position, so patience, as far as major spend and winning a lot of races against their rivals, is needed for United.
However, in the short term, if Weghorst comes in on loan, it could well be a bargain signing and an inspired type of addition that gives Manchester United what they need on the football field, which is a traditional forward a goal scorer that can chip in, and at the same point doesn’t break the bank.
If all of that leads United towards Champions League football, in retrospect we’re going to see this as an excellent piece of business.