According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag is unlikely to attempt to sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent basis during the summer transfer window because he wants to sign a center-forward of exceptional calibre.

What recent information is there about Wout Weghorst?
Last month, Football Insider reported that Manchester United had already decided against making an off-season move to sign Weghorst, a Netherlands international who makes £35k per week, and who is now expected to rejoin parent club Burnley.

The 30-year-old was reportedly brought in from the Clarets in January to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure last year. His stay will only be temporary, though, as Ten Hag plans to bring in a new forward in the summer, according to the report.

According to Lancs Live, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany recently provided an update on the £12 million star, saying: “It’s a little bit challenging to have any discussions at all at the moment because we’re all in the cutting edge moments of the season. Though in reality it is challenging because you are so focused on reaching your objectives, you believe that those conversations could take place sooner.

He has set goals for himself, including getting United into the Champions League and, if at all possible, winning the FA Cup. The moments will happen, and I’m looking forward to having that conversation. We each have our own goals, and we still want to win the trophy.

According to Transfermarkt, Weghorst has appeared in 25 games for the Red Devils since joining, contributing three assists in addition to two goals.

Journalist O’Rourke believes that Manchester United manager Ten Hag will have anticipated Weghorst’s departure from Old Trafford when speaking to Football FanCast.

“Manchester United, as we all know, are in for this marquee number nine signing; that’s their top priority this summer,” O’Rourke said to FFC. I don’t think Weghorst will fit into those plans, and even in recent weeks, it’s been evident that Weghorst has lost his spot after starting every game up until probably the last couple of weeks. Clearly, Erik Ten Hag is now preparing for life without Wout Weghorst next season.

Who might Wout Weghorst be replaced by at Old Trafford next year?
Despite his efforts, it doesn’t appear that Weghorst will be able to stay at Manchester United for an extended period of time, which begs the question of who might be added to the forward line of the Red Devils in the summer.

The Daily Star reports that Manchester United has made Harry Kane their top target, but they don’t plan to engage in a protracted negotiation process to acquire his services.

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Victor Osimhen of Napoli is another striker in the Red Devils’ sights. According to The Manchester Evening News, he has been on Old Trafford’s shortlist since last November.

Randal Kolo Muani, a forward for Eintracht Frankfurt, is another possible option, according to SPORT BILD, for Manchester United to bolster their attack ahead of the 2019–2020 season. It is unclear, though, what approach Ten Hag will take to turn his team into a consistent Premier League title contender.