Royal Antwerp winger Manuel Benson could sign a four-year deal at Burnley this week after the Championship outfit saw a £4.5 million move for Sporting Lisbon’s Jovane Cabral collapse, according to the Burnley Express.
Mixed news, then, as far as Vincent Kompany is concerned.
While a deal for one fleet-footed forward appears to be on the verge of completion, another falls through.
According to O Jogo and Record, Burnley had reached an agreement with Portuguese giants Sporting on a £4.5 million deal for Jovane. The one-time Leeds and Southampton target soon rebuffed their advances, however, as he had concerns about the ‘project’ on offer at Turf Moor.
Fortunately, Benson does not appear to share those doubts.
No to Jovane Cabral, yes to Manuel Benson
The Burnley Express claim that an agreement between Antwerp and the Championship outfit has now been reached, with Burnley submitting an offer similar the one that made for Jovane. Both parties, the report adds, are ‘happy with the deal’.
Benson will now board a flight across the Atlantic before signing a four-year deal in Lancashire; Potentially as early as Wednesday.
“We are good friends,” Antwerp team-mate Michel Ange Balikswisha said after Benson was left out of Mark van Bommel’s squad for Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Zulte Waregem, before embarking on what looked a lot like a lap of honour at full-time.
“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 will replace Everton’s new number seven Dwight McNeil at Goodison Park. Another new winger may could arrive with Maxwel Cornet almost certain to be on his way before August’s transfer deadline too.
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