Leeds United are favourites to beat Sunderland to Burnley winger Manuel Benson while Daniel Farke’s Championship giants have also enquired about Feyenoord ace Calvin Stengs and Ajax speedster Carlos Forbs.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that, having lost Georginio Rutter to Brighton and Hove Albion shortly after Crysencio Summerville’s departure to West Ham United, the Yorkshire giants are looking to bring in two wingers before the transfer window closes next week.
And, while leading target Jonathan Rowe appears set for Marseille, Leeds United are making progress in their pursuit of an alternative option.
HITC reported on Tuesday afternoon that Rowe had decided on a £15 million move to Roberto de Zerbi’s Ligue 1 giants. Leeds had two bids rejected for the England Under 21 international.
Fortunately, another proven Championship talent is keen on a move to Elland Road. There is interest from Sunderland in Manuel Benson. Norwich are in the race too, scouring the market for Rowe replacements.
But Leeds are in pole position. Benson wants the move, while the willingness to sign the Angola international on a permanent basis rather than a temporary deal appeals to current employers Burnley.
Leeds United in talks with Burnley winger Manuel Benson
Formerly of Genk and Royal Antwerp, the 27-year-old moved to Turf Moor under Vincent Kompany back in 2022 to the tune of £3.4 million.
Benson has fallen out of favour of late, failing to get off the bench in Burnley’s two league clashes with Cardiff City and Luton Town. He was excellent during the 2023 title-winning campaign, however, scoring 13 often spectacular goals while cutting in to devastating effect onto his left foot.
Once linked with Inter Milan, Benson’s ability to whip curling shots into the top corner from distance have drawn comparisons with Gareth Bale in the past.
“He is a very technical attacking player,” agent Patrick de Koster told FC Inter News a few years back. It is not easy to find players with similar characteristics.
“(Benson is like) Gareth Bale – quick, fast, with a knack of finding the net. Manuel has a way of playing that resembles that of the (former) Real Madrid player.”
Feyenoord’s Calvin Stengs and Ajax’s Carlos Forbs on radar
HITC can confirm that Leeds also made enquiries about Eredivisie duo Calvin Stengs and Carlos Forbs. Neither player is likely to be on his way to Elland Road, however, with both Feyenoord and Ajax turning their nose up at a potential loan deal.
Stengs, a gifted playmaker in the Rutter mould, nearly left 2023 Eredivisie champions Feyenoord for the MLS this month. However, a £6 million move to Dean Smith’s Charlotte FC has since collapsed.
Forbs, meanwhile, joined Ajax a year ago in a £12 million deal from Manchester City. Despite excelling at Premier League 2 level, Forbs has struggled to translate those displays into the senior game over in the Netherlands.
“Forbs doesn’t understand it at all,” former Eredivisie defender Kees Kwakman told ESPN last season. “He is much too expensive for a youth player.”
With Rowe heading to France, with Stengs and Forbs staying in Holland for now, Leeds may look to accelerate that Manuel Benson deal in the coming days.
Leeds are also still keen to land Dejan Ljubicic. The Austria midfielder is playing in Germany’s second tier with Koln but – despite a £3.3 million bid arriving from Elland Road – Ljubicic appears in no rush to leave the Cathedral City.
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