Louis Saha has warned his former side Manchester United not to sign Dutch striker Wout Weghorst this month.
The 30-year-old Netherlands international has emerged as a shock target for United in the January transfer window. Weghorst is currently on a season-long loan deal at Beskitas from Burnley, with United currently in talks with the Turkish side to agree a compensation package that would enable the striker to make the move to Old Trafford.
United are limited to loan signings this month and have been priced out of a move for Joao Felix, with both them and Arsenal refusing to meet Atletico Madrid’s loan demands.
Weghorst, who scored twice for his country in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, scored two in 20 appearances for Burnley during the second-half of last season with the Clarets relegated to the Championship.
While conceding it is ‘good’ United have turned to someone with some Premier League experience, Saha has warned Weghorst is ‘not the right option’. The Frenchman insists ten Hag should instead keep his faith in Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to lead the line.
‘Hearing rumours for Wout Weghorst is a bit of a surprise, but I won’t get excited this transfer window because it’s not like there’s a £100m striker who we’re gambling on signing,’ Saha told Boyle Sports.
‘It’s good that he’s already used to the Premier League, it is very dangerous when players join from abroad – especially for big money – but someone like Joao Felix could bring something completely different straight away.
‘Filling in the gap with someone like Weghorst is maybe not the right option.
‘I also heard about Vincent Aboubakar – it’s not what I expect to happen and I’d rather see Ten Hag try and continue to get the best out of Rashford and Martial.’
After a tough spell at Burnley, Weghorst has rediscovered his form with the Turkish club, netting nine goals in 19 appearances so far this term.
The former Wolfsburg star is desperate to join Erik ten Hag’s side this month, feeling the opportunity is too good to turn down and has reportedly asked Beskitas to respect his wishes.
Besiktas are desperate to keep hold of the player but club officials have suggested a compromise could be met.
‘There could be a reward for us if we give our consent to the cancellation [of the loan deal with Burnley],” Besiktas football director Ceyhun Kazanci said.
‘For example, if Burnley told us: ‘Weghorst is moving to this team and we are giving you half of the fee’ we would sit down and talk to them.’
MORE : Wesley Sneijder mocks Manchester United over ‘very strange’ Wout Weghorst swoop
MORE : Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to sign Porto striker Mehdi Taremi ahead of Wout Weghorst
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