Leeds United favourites to sign Manuel Benson as verbal agreement development emerges

Hull City's hopes of signing Burnley winger Manuel Benson are now slipping away with Leeds United emerging as favourites in the race for his signature, according to Hull Live.

As reported by the online news outlet (27 January), City had a verbal agreement with Burnley to sign Benson on loan until the end of the season, although that agreement appears to have fallen apart with the Belgian yet to make his decision and attracting interest from other Championship sides, including Leeds.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri first reported about Leeds' interest in the player earlier this month (18 January) stating that the Whites expected Wilfried Gnonto to join West Ham United and were therefore lining up Benson as his replacement.

Despite expectations now that Gnonto will put pen to paper on a new deal at Elland Road rather than leave the club this month, Leeds continue to lead the way for Benson, who has been told he can leave Turf Moor, with Tavolieri revealing in an update this week (25 January), that the Whites were now "pushing" to sign the forward.

Depth

This would be a fantastic addition to Daniel Farke's squad as they continue to push for an instant return to the Premier League.

Benson featured in three of Burnley's first five matches upon their return to England's top flight, although he has struggled for game time since, with Vincent Kompany's side finding life back in the Premier League difficult.

Nonetheless, Benson is still a player of quality who certainly knows his way around the Championship. The 26-year-old scored 13 goals and provided three assists last season as Burnley stormed to the title.

He will be eager to get back on the pitch and prove his quality and what better place to do that than at a club flying high in the Championship right now.

Farke's side are breathing down the necks of the Championship's top two and will be hoping to continue to pile on the pressure as they seek an instant route back to the Premier League.

In other Leeds United news, one player linked with an exit from Elland Road has sent a four-word message as transfer news emerges.

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