Leeds United weigh up last-gasp bid to sign Burnley star Manuel Benson

Leeds United could be set to launch a bid late in the transfer window to sign Burnley forward Manuel Benson, according to The Express.

The publication’s website reported [14 August] that the club hold a “concrete interest” in Benson – who is capped internationally by Angola – but will be rivalled for the Belgian, with Norwich City and Sunderland both keeping tabs on his situation at Turf Moor.

Leeds currently have the smallest first-team squad in the Championship [Transfermarkt] despite their status as promotion favourites, and Daniel Farke is keen to add several further senior faces to his squad.

Leeds United in hunt for Benson

Leeds United could do a lot worse than Benson, who at 27 is in the peak years of his career and also has a Championship winner’s medal to his name.

Farke has quality in his side, but needs quantity as much as further quality in the remaining weeks of the window, having just 20 recognised senior players at his disposal.

Benson struggled for game time in the Premier League last season and whilst he’ll be hoping to play more under Scott Parker back in the second tier, he was an unused substitute in their 4-1 win against Luton Town on Monday and may now have to look elsewhere.

Only Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James are currently out-and-out wide players at Elland Road and Benson would certainly offer a new dynamic, with Leeds expected to have a slightly more comfortable financial muscle now Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray have departed, alongside the lucrative Red Bull partnership. However, Farke says they cannot spend “a lot” in the coming weeks.

Benson has three years remaining on his contract with the Clarets.