Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has already made it very clear he rates Wout Weghorst ahead of the striker's move to Old Trafford.
Weghorst has cleared out his Besiktas locker and left Istanbul to travel to Manchester to complete his medical with the Red Devils. The Dutchman emerged as a surprise transfer target for Erik ten Hag this month, with the United boss approving a loan deal for the striker for the remainder of the season.
United have been prioritising signing a striker this month after Cristiano Ronaldo – who completed a stunning move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr – left Old Trafford in November. The Portuguese superstar ended his relationship with the Red Devils by mutual consent following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
Weghorst hit double figures in front of goal during his half-season at Besiktas, where he was on a season-long loan deal from Burnley. He is now leaving the Turkish club to finish the 2022/23 campaign at United before the club signs a long-term option in the position.
Weghorst came to prominence in the World Cup as he was in the Netherlands squad and netted twice for his nation in their quarter-final defeat by Argentina. He was clearly a player admired and trusted by boss Van Gaal.
It was outlined by Dutch outlet Trouw how Weghorst is valued by coaches and is 'loved' by Van Gaal. The former United boss is said to be impressed by Weghorst's work rate, expressiveness and enthusiasm, which were apparent during training sessions.
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Speaking last summer after a Nations League match against Wales, in which Weghorst netted the winner, the Dutch boss reflected after the game: "Weghorst had (a) blood (injury) and he had to go off. I thought he was injured, but he was not injured. Memphis was with me and I said to him, 'No, no, if he is fit, I don't change'.
Van Gaal instantly added: "You know who scored the winning goal? Weghorst! Yes! And I think...", before patting himself on the back.
Weghorst has other coaching admirers too. After setting up Burnley's equaliser in their 1-1 draw against United last season at Turf Moor, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: "They (Burnley) brought in a new striker. If you saw the game, you would have seen he is a lively boy.
"He was very active all over the pitch. Burnley ask for all physicality you can put in a game, we cannot have the ball all the time and they are good when they have the ball."
Weghorst also opened the scoring for the Clarets in a three-goal win at Brighton, which led to Ian Wright saying on Match of the Day: "What they (Burnley) got from (Weghorst) today was exactly what Burnley need when they are playing as well as they can play in their style.
"His link-up play and the problems he caused all day kept Burnley in a position on the field where they could cause problems.
"When you see the position he takes up for his goal, it is fantastic, and the calmness with the way he took it. He gets himself in the middle but then he just stops, and the composure and the clinical way he finished it was brilliant.
"This is exactly what you want from your centre forward, causing the defender all sorts of problems. He has no right to get that, the defender should be heading it, but he gets it into Brownhill and it's brilliant for him to score his first goal."
United have agreed a fee of £2.5million with Besiktas to end Weghorst's loan spell at the Turkish giants prematurely, reports The Athletic. The Red Devils are hopeful of concluding the striker's registration on time so that he can be involved in the squad for Saturday's derby against Manchester City.
