Holland legend Wesley Sneijder has questioned Man United’s interest in striker Wout Weghorst and claimed the potential transfer must be a ‘stunt’.
United are in talks with Burnley over signing Weghorst until the end of the season, and the Holland striker has made it clear that he wants to move to Old Trafford.
However, despite his impressive displays for his national side in the World Cup, former Ajax star Sneijder is still unconvinced in the forward’s suiting to United.
According to VP, Sneijder said: ‘I think they’ve seen the trick with the free kick [in the quarter-final of the World Cup against Argentina], so they don’t fall for that in England anymore.
‘In terms of striker, is he really someone United are waiting for? I don’t think so. They still have 300 of those in the Premier League. It must be a stunt. This really can’t be true.’
Weghorst has scored nine goals in 18 games for the Istanbul club this season and they have an option to buy him for £8.5m in the summer window.
The Dutch international is currently on loan at Besiktas and that deal would have to be cancelled first with the Turkish club wanting compensation.
However, the move for Weghorst could be in jeopardy after Besiktas described claims as ‘speculative’ and said the public would be ‘informed’ if there was any real developments.
The Istanbul-based outfit released the following statement: ‘After the match of our Football A Team against Kasimpasa in the Super League, there was a need to make a statement due to speculative news in the media about our football player Wout Weghorst.
‘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 Euros 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.’
United, who are believed to be restricted to loan deals only this window, have underlined that they expect Harry Maguire to stay beyond the January window and see him as an important member of their squad.
The England defender has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, but the Red Devils have made it clear they do not want him to move.
The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at United in recent times, with game time limited under Erik ten Hag.
