Ruud van Nistelrooy’s potential arrival at Burnley could stop Wout Weghorst leaving the club this summer, although both matters are currently at a standstill.
That’s according to journalists Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, who covers the matter today and explains that Van Nistelrooy could look to keep his compatriot at Turf Moor if he becomes Burnley manager.
The former PSV Eindhoven boss has been heavily linked with a move to Burnley over the last week as they continue their search for Vincent Kompany’s replacement.
While reports in the Netherlands had indicated a deal was close that has now been pulled back on, with an insistence that he is one of several names on the list at this moment in time.
While he’s being linked with a move to the club, Weghorst is being linked with a move away, with FC Twente and Ajax reportedly keen on him.
The striker is set to return to Burnley from a loan spell at Hoffenheim this summer, but all indications have been that he and the club will look or a permanent separation in this window.
His time in England has not been a happy one, to say the least, with the striker struggling for goals in the year Burnley were relegated before then heading out on loan to Besiktas, Manchester United and then Hoffenheim.
He’s in the final year of his deal so a transfer away would make sense but Verweij and Driessen have a different stance on the matter.
“The situation with Weghorst is no different than what we reported to two laypersons,” he told the Kick-off Oranje podcast.
“Ajax is in discussions with him, and he knows what he can earn there. Ajax only goes and can only act when an attacker is gone. They still have Forbs and Akpom for the time being, so that is not going to happen now.
“It will of course be interesting how Ruud van Nistelrooy views Wout Weghorst,” added Valentijn Driessen.
“If Ruud van Nistelrooy indeed becomes Burnley’s coach, he will become Weghorst’s boss.
“Vincent Kompany, Van Nistelrooy’s predecessor, did not like Weghorst as a striker. I am curious whether Van Nistelrooy will keep Weghorst to his contract if he becomes the trainer.
“He knows better than anyone what it is like to be a striker in England and whether Weghorst fits there or not. He did not leave an indelible impression in England. Not at Burnley and not at Manchester United.”
