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The Angola international looks set to leave Turf Moor this summer, despite his previous Championship pedigree

Key Takeaways

Burnley look set to allow Manuel Benson to leave the club before the transfer window comes to a close, with the Clarets seemingly allowing the Angola international to join a Championship rival.

Leeds United, Sunderland and Norwich City are all said to be interested in bringing the 27-year-old in before the end of August - according to Sacha Tavolieri - with the Clarets looking happy to offload a player who has had a massive influence on matters at Turf Moor during his time at the club.

The winger was a major part of the side that stormed to the second tier title under Vincent Kompany in the 22/23 campaign, and after dropping back down into the Football League, you would think he could do a similar job once again.

But incoming manager Scott Parker obviously has other ideas for the following 12 months, although that could be a decision that could come back to haunt them before the season comes to a close.

Manuel Benson magic helps Burnley achieve Premier League promotion

Having joined the Clarets from Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2022, Benson went on to play a pivotal part for the Lancashire side as they sauntered to the Championship top spot two seasons ago.

He may have only started 14 games throughout the league campaign, but his impact during his 19 games as a substitute also had a massive effect on his side’s fortunes throughout the year, with a number of game-changing contributions to his name.

After getting off the mark with strikes against Bristol City and Sunderland, the super sub started to weave his magic three months into the campaign, with an immediate impact to turn the game on its head against Reading, before an injury-time winner against lowly Rotherham United.

With his high-energy performances from the flanks, the slaloming superstar would waltz past defenders on his meander towards the penalty area, before unleashing unstoppable drives that would alter a game in an instant.

It almost became something of a party piece for the Clarets, with Benson’s arrival onto the scene almost guaranteeing a turnaround in the game, as his run of four goals in his final four matches of the season proved.

But just 18 months on from those dazzling days at Turf Moor, the opinion seems to have changed on the brilliant Belgium-born winger, despite everyone at the club knowing just how influential he can be, even in a bit-part role from the bench.

Leeds United, Norwich City and Sunderland all need attacking reinforcements

The fact that Benson is in high-demand from a number of Championship clubs is no surprise, with the 27-year-old likely to improve any side he walks into in the second tier.

Leeds will be looking for a replacement for Crysencio Summerville after the winger made the move to West Ham United earlier this summer, while the Whites have also lost Georginio Rutter, with the Frenchman signing for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Norwich City also have a fight on their hands to keep hold of academy graduate Jon Rowe at this moment in time, with French duo Marseille and Rennes said to be interested, while Leeds are also said to be keen.

And the Jack Clarke transfer saga continues to rumble on at Sunderland, with the Black Cats’ winger having plenty of admirers after such a strong showing at the Stadium of Light in recent seasons.

With so many potential deals on the table, the trio will more than likely be in the market for a player who can have just as much impact on Championship matches over the course of the season, and Benson has shown in previous years that he is that man.

The Clarets are seemingly accepting that they will see the Angola international line up against them in the season to come, and they could live to regret that decision if the winger produces anything similar to his 22/23 campaign, where he was near-unplayable whenever he took to the pitch.