At first glance, the prospect of Manchester United signing Netherlands international Wout Weghorst is not likely to generate too much excitement.
The striker, who is currently on loan at Turkish giants Besiktas from Burnley, has already celebrated his 30th birthday, has previously struggled to make an impact in the Premier League and is not who you would consider as a sexy signing, certainly not for a club of United's stature. He is a tall, physical and imposing figure, just as he proved when he stepped off the bench in the Netherlands' thrilling World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in Qatar last month.
But although he is almost certainly not going to be a signing that increases shirt sales inside the Old Trafford Megastore, he is a potential addition to Erik ten Hag's squad that the latter has earned the right to choose. Ten Hag was brave in his decisions to recruit the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen during the summer and they have quickly blossomed into two of the Reds' most important players.
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Weghorst, however, is considered as a short-term solution. United want to sign him on loan for the remainder of the season before looking to recruit the big-name, elite-level striker that every supporter is desperate for.
But with United not prepared to invest big-money in a world-class goal-getter until the summer, Weghorst is a signing that they can risk getting away with. He will bring a different dimension to the squad and, perhaps, make an unexpected impact. After all, you never know in this game.
However, when it first emerged a few weeks ago that United would be looking to recruit a striker on loan this month, opposed to going all out and looking to land one on a permanent basis mid-season, a number of supporters immediately pinpointed Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix as the ideal option. The 23-year-old's relationship with Atletico manager Diego Simeone is understood to be frosty, meaning speculation about his short-term future has been rife for several weeks.
Prior to United's interest in Weghorst coming to light over the weekend, many Reds supporters believed Felix would be checking in at Old Trafford before the end of this month. However, he now looks poised to join Chelsea, joining the club on loan for an €11million (£9.68m) fee.
When you compare him directly with Weghorst, Felix is a player that, understandably, generates far more excitement, such is their difference in age, the astronomical amount of money Atletico spent on him in 2019 and his technical ability. While that is all said and good, he is not the striker that United are in need of, just as he has openly admitted himself.
"My best position is as the second forward," said Felix, speaking to The Athletic last year. "Playing like a No.10, with a guy in front of me."
Considering Bruno Fernandes is United's first choice No.10 without any hesitation, the clamour to sign Felix, just as it was with Cody Gakpo, given all of his exploits for PSV Eindhoven came from the left-wing, did not add up. United need an out-and-out striker and Felix, just as his record in front of goal at Atletico suggests, is not one.
That's not to say that Felix is not a talented footballer without plenty of potential, because he is. He also has a much higher ceiling than Weghorst. However, he is not the player that United are in need of right now.
Weghorst, though his record in front of goal during his 20-game run at Burnley in the second half of last season was far from sparkling, highlighted by his tally of just two goals, is far more experienced at the top end of the pitch, meaning he is a signing that does make sense, even if he is not everyone's preference. Ten Hag has earned the opportunity to pick his own targets, such is the way he has transformed the Reds' fortunes so far this season.
Felix would have cost United a hefty-sized loan fee, meaning that would have brought added pressure for him to get the goals. Although the deal to bring Weghorst to M16 will not be what you would describe as cheap, given the negotiating that needs to be done with both Besiktas and Burnley, it feels less risky.
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