Manchester United have reportedly decided against bringing Burnley forward Wout Weghorst to the club on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window.
Cristiano Ronaldo's exit at the end of last year led to the Red Devils signing Weghorst on loan in January, with the Netherlands international ending a loan spell at Besiktas in order to move to Old Trafford.
The 30-year-old has been a regular for Erik ten Hag's side, featuring on 20 occasions in all competitions, but he has only managed two goals and three assists in the process.
Anthony Martial's injury issues led to Weghorst starting 19 successive games for Man United, but the latter has been on the bench in recent weeks due to the former's return to fitness.
Weghorst has come off the bench in four of the English side's last five Premier League matches, including against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, but he has struggled to make an impression.
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A recent report claimed that Man United had not discussed a permanent move with the striker, suggesting that they were unlikely to attempt to sign him on a full-time basis.
According to the Daily Mail, the 20-time English champions have now decided that they will not attempt to bring him in permanently when his loan deal expires.
There had been suggestions that Weghorst could be signed in addition to another forward, with Martial potentially being allowed to depart during the summer market.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is still said to be Man United's leading target in the final third of the field, while Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Napoli's Victor Osimhen have also been linked with moves to the club.
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However, the report claims that Weghorst is not in the plans of Ten Hag moving forward, and he will therefore return to Burnley this summer.
Burnley will be back in the Premier League next season, but the Clarets are said to be open to letting him leave, with Besiktas believed to be interested in re-signing the Dutchman.
Weghorst, who has not netted in 13 Premier League outings for Man United, still has another two years left to run on his contract with Vincent Kompany's side.
Ten Hag has admitted that he is unsure how much money there will be to spend this summer due to the ownership situation at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils remain on course to return to the Champions League for next season despite their late defeat at Brighton on Thursday, sitting fourth in the table, four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
Matt Law
