Manchester United are making progress in their bid to sign a striker before the January transfer window closes.
The Red Devils want none other than Burnley flop Wout Weghorst to be Erik ten Hag 's saviour for the second half of the season, with the United manager making it clear long before the window opened that he needed attacking reinforcements. The Dutchman began the month by missing out on top target Cody Gakpo to arch-rivals Liverpool, who gazumped the Red Devils by offering a higher fee up front.
United have since scoured the market, assessing the likes of Joao Felix and Olivier Giroud 's availability, but Ten Hag has now decided on a short-term move for Weghorst, who's currently on loan at Besiktas. The player is keen to come, but it's far from a done deal.
Here's a round-up of the latest transfer news from Old Trafford.
Besiktas raise Weghorst issue
Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci has set out his club's stall to keep Manchester United target Wout Weghorst in Istanbul for the rest of the campaign. The 30-year-old Dutch striker signed for Besiktas on a season-long loan from Burnley back in July, which includes an option to buy, but United are attempting to cut it short after holding talks with the Lancashire club.
After Weghorst appeared to wave goodbye to Besiktas fans after scoring in their 2-1 victory over Kasimpasa on Saturday, Turkish outlet Fanatik quote Kazanci as saying: "I don't understand why Weghorst said goodbye to the fans, why he made such a move. He is our football player right now.
"Our contract expires at the end of the season. If Manchester United or any other team wants Wegnorst, they will meet with Burnley anyway. Burnley will then contact us and discuss the terms of separation. If we accept, the contract will be terminated. Otherwise, it will go on until the end of the season.
"He can't just go. There will have to be a reward for us to approve the separation. I'll give an example. Burnley told us, 'We made a deal with this team for Weghorst. We give you half of the transfer fee'. This may be a different condition. Then we'll sit down and talk."
Thuram makes future decision
Marcus Thuram has reportedly decided not to renew his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach which is set to make him a free agent at the end of this season. Telefoot claim that the 25-year-old French forward, who's been linked with a move to Old Trafford, has his heart set on leaving Borussia Park after four seasons.
The report mentions that Chelsea are also interested in Thuram, while Inter Milan are believed to have already offered him a lucrative four-year deal and hope to sign him for free in June. It's been claimed elsewhere that Gladbach would demand £13.2m to sell the France international this month, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain linked alongside United.
Have your say! Who'd be a better signing - Weghorst or Thuram? Join the debate in the comments section.
Youngster set for loan
As United look to secure Wout Weghorst or another striker's services before the window slams shut on January 31, the Red Devils are prepared to send one of their own out on loan. The Manchester Evening News report that academy hotshot Charlie McNeill has been made available and is already attracting interest from Football League clubs.
The 19-year-old, who joined United from Manchester City in 2020 for a reported fee which could rise to £1.35m, made his senior debut earlier this season, coming as a late substitute during the Red Devil's 1-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad in the Europa League. McNeill scored an impressive three goals and registered one assist in five EFL Trophy matches this term.
