Erik ten Hag has expressed his intention to bring free agent Wout Weghorst to FC Twente ahead of the upcoming Eredivisie season. However, the Dutch club will have to overcome strong competition from Portuguese giants Benfica, who are reportedly preparing to tempt the former Manchester United loanee to Lisbon.

Twente are keen to secure the experienced forward following his departure from Ajax, where he scored 20 goals over two seasons. The Netherlands international has become one of the most sought-after free agents this summer. Ten Hag, who is set to take over as FC Twente’s new technical director, confirmed the club’s interest during a broadcast appearance on NOS. According to a report from SoccerNews, while Twente remain in contention, Benfica could possess greater financial leverage should they decide to make an official offer.

During his commentary duties at the ongoing World Cup finals, Ten Hag spoke about the club’s interest in Weghorst, referencing the striker’s strong local ties. He said, “At Twente, we are naturally interested in Wout Weghorst. He’s a lad with true Twente roots. We are super proud of everything Wout has achieved.”

He further added, “I’ve known Wout and the Weghorst family for a very long time. Of course, I’d love to have him on the team. Who wouldn’t want a striker like Wout Weghorst? He’s focused on the World Cup now. He wants to be a world champion. Do we have to wait? For Wout, yes…”

A potential transfer to De Grolsch Veste would represent a homecoming for both Ten Hag and Weghorst. Ten Hag began his professional playing career as a centre-back in Enschede, while Weghorst previously worked with him at Manchester United. The 1.97-metre forward joined the Premier League club on loan from Burnley in January 2023, making 31 appearances and scoring two goals across all competitions. Despite a modest goal return, Ten Hag continues to value the striker’s tactical versatility and work rate.

Twente will have to wait until Weghorst completes his international duties in North America before making any final moves. The summer transfer window promises to be a challenging one for Ten Hag, who must find a way to overcome Benfica’s financial strength to secure his preferred attacking option before the 2026-27 Eredivisie campaign kicks off.