A former Manchester United man could make something of a dream move to his boyhood club this summer, with his potentially soon-to-be manager now confirming that talks are underway.
Of course, things could be complicated a little by the uncertainty surrounding Joseph Oosting’s own future.
With Arne Slot seemingly on his way to Liverpool, 2023 Eredivisie champions Feyenoord have been heavily linked with Oosting to take his place. What impact a potential departure from Enschede means for one-time Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst remains to be seen, though the experienced centre-forward will be hoping that – if the highly rated FC Twente boss does go to Rotterdam – he does not close the door behind him.
Dream move awaits for ex-Manchester United striker
Oosting was asked about a potential move for Weghorst on Sunday, his Twente side just one place behind Feyenoord in third.
“I do have contact with him,” Oosting tells Studio Voetbal of Weghorst, whom he worked with at FC Emmen a decade ago. “About a transfer to Twente? That too, yes. He is a boy from the region.
“I would like to see him join FC Twente.”
The Eredivisie high-flyers already have an experienced targetman in the shape of one-time Norwich City forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel. Oosting is not ruling out Weghorst joining the well-travelled number nine, however, particularly with Myron Boadu set to return to Monaco upon the expiry of his loan deal.
“Sure, sure, Ricky has also been very important from day one. I am happy with him,” adds the coach. “Why not (sign Weghorst too)? We will see.”
Weghorst, who spent a brief spell on loan at Manchester United in the second half of Erik ten Hag’s debut Old Trafford season alongside Marcel Sabitzer, is still – technically-speaking – a Burnley player.
Given that he has not represented The Clarets even once since the appointment of Vincent Kompany, it seems highly unlikely that Weghorst will be returning to Turf Moor at the end of his current loan spell. Weghorst, prolific at Wolfsburg a few years ago, is back in the Bundesliga with Heerenveen, scoring seven times in Germany’s top flight this term.
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Burnley exit feels inevitable
Following the furore that arose after he was spotted touching the famous Liverpool sign at Anfield before Man United’s 7-0 loss last year – a faux pas he apologised for – Weghorst admitted that he grew up a Twente supporter.
“As a child, I always supported FC Twente,” he said.
A potential move to the team who look set to secure third place in the Eredivisie, then, would be something of a lifelong dream coming true for the now-31-year-old frontman, even if Dutch icon Rafaael van der Vaart has doubts about whether he really is a signing Twente need.
“I wouldn’t consider (signing Weghorst) wise,” Van der Vaart wonders. “I think Ricky van Wolfswinkel is so important for the group. He is also an incredibly good striker, who I think is really underrated in the Netherlands.
“I’m serious, if you ask me Van Wolfswinkel or Weghorst, I say Van Wolfswinkel.”