Manager suggests Leeds target ‘will be leaving’ with £3.4m ace keen on Elland Road switch
When discussing Leeds United’s summer additions, the phrase ‘better late than never’ feels particularly fitting.
Just like back in 2023, when Daniel Farke had no real idea what his squad would look like until the window closed, the Yorkshire giants are again entering the final week of August with plenty of work to do and a to-do list longer than one of Ilan Meslier’s limbs.
While Largie Ramazani has arrived in a £10 million deal from Almeria – a right-footed left winger expected to fill the role vacated by Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville – Leeds are arguably still yet to replace either Archie Gray or Georginio Rutter even if the goalscoring return of Brenden Aaronson has helped offset the latter’s move to Brighton.
HITC have been told that Leeds expressed an interest in two Eredivisie-based attackers; Ajax’s former Manchester City starlet Carlos Forbs and the elegant Feyenoord playmaker Calvin Stengs.
Neither player looks likely to arrive at this stage, however, with Leeds making far more progress in their pursuit of Burnley ace Manuel Benson.
Burnley benchwarmer Manuel Benson eyeing Leeds United move
HITC understands that Benson is keen to make the switch to Elland Road.
Sunderland and Norwich City are keen – both clubs losing talismanic figures in Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town and Jonathan Rowe to Marseille – but Leeds are in pole position due to their willingness to sign Benson on a permanent deal.
The £3.4 million signing from Royal Antwerp has not played a minute for Burnley in 2023/24.
Benson was left out of the squad entirely during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at pacesetters Sunderland, too. And Clarets boss Scott Parker has now indicated that the Belgian’s absence – as well as that of Wout Weghorst – may have been transfer related.
“It’s a big week for us, of course,” the former Fulham and Bournemouth boss tells the Burnley Express. “Everyone at the football club is working tirelessly in both aspects to try and bring some players in and no doubt players will be leaving.
“I’ve said it from the outset, players that don’t want to be at the football club and don’t want to be around it, it’s clear that’s not what we’re going to try and develop here.
“I want people here who ultimately want to be part of this and this journey and there’s a couple of little bumps along the way.
“No doubt certain players will be leaving.”
Benson was a huge hit during Burnley’s Championship-winning season in 2022/23. He scored 13 goals in total, many of those whipped into the far corner with his lethal left boot.
A left boot which earned comparisons with a young Gareth Bale during Benson’s time back home on the continent.
Daniel Farke hails Wilfried Gnonto improvement
Leeds defeated Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 on Friday with Daniel James and the aforementioned Aaronson scoring. On their belated first win of the season, Wilfried Gnonto also proved that he can be expected to step up in the absence of Summerville and Rutter with a stand-out performance.
New arrival Razamani could be in contention when Farke’s team take on Hull City next weekend. So too could Manor Solomon, the Tottenham Hotspur forgotten man who may also be on his way to Elland Road, HITC understands.
“We’ve worked a lot with Willy in recent months,” Farke told the Yorkshire Evening Post after that Hillsborough win. “We want him to be more flexible in his movements, so he covers different positions and isn’t too static.
“We work a lot with him individually and show him different scenes. He was, at times, unplayable. He’s still a young player and can be a bit smarter to handle some situations on the pitch. A step forward from him but one we expect from a player of his calibre.
“Obviously, (from Saturday onwards, Ramazani) will train with us.
“It’s good we have Largie signed. I have made it clear we definitely need a few more if we want to be ambitious. Just with a squad of 12, 13 senior players, for this emotional and ambitious club to be successful, it’s not possible.
“We have a good group to build on. We showed (against Wednesday). But we will also need a few additions and then we speak about them when they have trained with us.”
