Royal Antwerp forward Manuel Benson deserves his chance in the Championship as Burnley close in on a £3.5 million deal, Jupiler League team-mate Michel-Ange Balikwisha tells Voetbal Krant.
The irony will not have been lost on Clarets supporters.
Dwight McNeil couldn’t hit a barn door with a double bass, let alone a banjo during the 2021/22 season at Turf Moor. But, during his Everton debut in last week’s friendly victory over Dynamo Kiev, the Toffees’ new number seven found the net twice in a matter of minutes.
Insert ‘bus-based pun’ here.
McNeil’s form might have left a lot to be desired last season. But he will still be a big miss for a Burnley side plotting an immediate escape from the second-tier, especially with Maxwel Cornet also expected to head for the exit before September’s transfer deadline.
Who will replace Dwight McNeil at Burnley?
Unsurprisingly, a Burnley side who began their Championship adventure with a commanding 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Friday are stepping up their pursuit of attacking reinforcements following McNeil’s departure.
Parma’s Yann Karamoh is one target. Sporting Lisbon’s Jovane Cabral another.
According to GVA, meanwhile, former Belgium U21 international Benson is on his way to Lancashire. Burnley have submitted a bid in the region of £3.5 million.
“We are good friends,” says Balikswisha, Antwerp-team-mate and one-time West Brom target. “So it does mean something to me that he leaves.
“But above all I am happy for Benny. He is rewarded for his strong performance.”
Benson admitted late last week that Burnley had indeed expressed an interest in signing him. The one-time Inter Milan and Rangers target was then left out of Mark van Bommel’s squad for Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Zulte Waregem, before embarking upon what looked suspiciously like a goodbye to the Antwerp supporters at full-time.
In all competitions last season, Benson contributed six goals and eight assists to the Antwerp cause.
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