Man United target Wout Weghorst 'won't be offered the No 7 shirt'

Wout Weghorst ‘won’t be offered the Man United No 7 shirt vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo because chief executive Richard Arnold has already promised it to Joao Felix’ as talks continue over a loan move for both players

  • Wout Weghorst is being targeted by the club on loan this month from Burnley
  • The Holland international has spent the season so far with Besiktas in Turkey
  • Reports in Portugal suggest he won’t be able to wear the number seven shirt
  • It has been said that Richard Arnold has promised it to Portuguese Joao Felix
  • Follow Sportsmail’s daily live transfer blog all updates of January’s dealings 

Wout Weghorst will reportedly be denied the opportunity to wear the number seven shirt at Manchester United after Richard Arnold, the club’s chief executive, promised it to Joao Felix. 

The Holland international, who is contracted to Burnley but has spent this season on-loan with Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas, is a target for United this month as they search for a centre-forward to replace Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the squad.

United currently only have Anthony Martial on their senior squad books as a recognised centre-forward and Erik ten Hag has publicly stressed the importance of bringing in cover in that area this month. 

On-loan Besiktas striker Wout Weghorst could be set for January move to Manchester United

Despite appearing close to replacing Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in the squad on loan until the end of the season, A Bola – a Portuguese publication – has reported that Weghorst will not be offered the chance to wear the vacated No 7 shirt. 

That particular shirt number is steeped in history at the club, with Ronaldo having followed in the footsteps of George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham in having worn it. 

It is said by the Portuguese publication that it has instead been promised to Joao Felix, the Atletico Madrid forward who looks likely to depart the Spanish giants this month. 

Joao Felix looks poised to leave Atletico Madrid after breakdown in relations with the manager

The Dutchman, however, could be denied the opportunity to wear the No 7 shirt at the club 

Felix, 23, is available this month having fallen out of favour with Atletico Madrid’s manager.   

The Portuguese has seen a total breakdown in relations with manager Diego Simeone and the club have seemingly opted to back the Argentine over the player, with the club’s chief executive explaining back in December that the ‘reasonable’ thing to expect would be for him to leave.  

‘I believe he is a top, world-class player, but for reasons it is not worth getting into now, the relationship between him and the ‘mister’ (Diego Simeone) is not good, nor is his motivation,’ Miguel Angel Gil Marin said last month. 

Though it is believed Atletico Madrid are demanding a loan fee close to £13m, in addition to the £5m in wages whichever club lands him will be expected to cover. 

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United last month under acrimonious circumstances 

Weghorst would offer a different dynamic to Manchester United’s forward line should he arrive

News of discussions over Weghorst joining the club come amid claims he clashed with Burnley players over a perceived ‘arrogance’. 

While he may be viewed as a relatively quiet character off the pitch, the striker comes with an aura of confidence that some of his teammates at Burnley viewed as arrogance, as reported by The Athletic.

Weghorst’s confidence was at times viewed as arrogance at Burnley

Seen as the striker that would help Burnley pull off another Premier League relegation escape, Weghorst arrived in England at the start of 2022 boasting the reputation of being one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous strikers, bagging 70 goals in 144 Bundesliga appearances. 

Minutes from United’s fans’ forum, held on December 13, show John Murtough, the club’s football director, admit that they are chasing a centre-forward this month. 

‘As always, the main focus remains on the summer window, and we’re already well under way with our planning for next summer,’ he said. ‘January is a difficult time to find players that teams are willing to let go. 

‘It’s no secret that we’re looking for a new centre-forward. We’ll see what’s possible in January but, as Erik told the media in Spain [in December] we only want to bring in players who are good enough, and who will make the squad stronger. We’re not going to sign players for the sake of making signings.’




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