Wout Weghorst: Besiktas deny Dutch forward set to join Manchester United, say exit clause is ‘fictitious’

Wout Weghort does not have a €2.5 million exit clause in his contract and is not about to join Manchester United, say the Dutch forward’s club Besiktas.

Dutch forward Weghorst, 30, is on loan at Besiktas from Championship side Burnley and has been the subject of rumours linking him with a move to join compatriot Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is in the market for a striker following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Besiktas say that Weghorst – who impressed at the World Cup for the Netherlands – is not on the verge of departing.

“The claim that there is an exit clause in our football player’s contract, stating that his contract can be terminated with a compensation of €2.5 million (c. £2.2m) in case of an offer from the Premier League, is fictitious.

“However, the news that the player in question will leave the team on Tuesday is completely untrue. The initiative regarding Wout Weghorst belongs entirely to Besiktas Gymnastics Club.

“We also state that if there is a development on this issue, our esteemed community and the public will be informed.”

After a difficult time with Burnley in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season, Weghorst was shipped out by Clarets boss Vincent Kompany to Turkey, where he has thrived, scoring nine goals in 18 total appearances.

Weghorst, who stands at a towering 6’6″, made his name in his home country with Heracles Almelo and AZ Alkmaar, before moving to Wolfsburg.

While in Germany between 2018 and 2022, he hit 70 goals in 144 games.