Besiktas 'want to sign Wout Weghorst for a second time in the summer'

Besiktas are reportedly lining up a move to bring Wout Weghorst back to the club in the summer - despite the Dutch forward leaving them midway through this season to join Manchester United.

Weghorst moved to Erik ten Hag's side on loan from Burnley in January after having a positive spell during the first half of the campaign with the Turkish giants - where he scored nine goals in 18 games - cut short.

Since arriving at Old Trafford, he started the first 19 games he'd been available for in all competitions, but has since slipped down the pecking order with substitute appearances against Everton and Sevilla, while he remained on the bench against Brentford.

He has scored just two goals in 21 appearances and is yet to find the net in 10 Premier League matches, which has led to criticism that he is not good enough for the club.

However, according to The Sun, the Turkish side are preparing to bring him back to the club next season when his loan deal with United expires.

Weghorst still has two years remaining on his Burnley contract having joined the Clarets for £12.5m from Wolfsburg in January 2022.

Vincent Kompany's side would prefer a permanent exit, but a loan return to Istanbul now looks the most likely.

Nevertheless, Besiktas may face competition from United, where Weghorst has had a big role to play under his fellow countryman as a result of several attacking injuries in recent months.

When asked recently if Weghorst was potentially part of his long-term plans at the club, Erik ten Hag said: 'Of course.

'I think he is doing a lot of elements of football really well. Wout is doing a really god job for us.'

Weghorst's move to United cost the club £3m in a loan fee - with that split between Burnley and Besiktas.

The giant striker scored in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over Nottingham Forest, while he also netted in the Europa League last-16 win against Real Betis.

Ten Hag's side are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to the City Ground to take on Forest and they have a huge chance to cement their position in the top four after Tottenham and Newcastle both suffered damaging defeats on Saturday.