Daniel Feliciano

Thu 18 January 2024 10:15, UK

Leeds United want to sign Burnley winger Manuel Benson to replace Wilfried Gnonto, who they expect to sell to West Ham this month according to Sacha Tavolieri.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (18 January), the reliable journalist reports that the Whites expect the Italy international to leave and have named the Belgian as their “priority target” to replace him.

Leeds are “pushing” to get a deal done with West Ham expected to make a move for Gnonto, who hasn’t been playing regularly and wanted to leave in the summer.

“And now.. Leeds United’s also pushing!” he wrote.

“Leeds United expecting a (likely) sale of Wilfried Gnonto to West Ham United before the end of the window, pointed out the name of.. Manuel Benson as a priority target as a replacement.

“Case open and still moving until the end for the Belgian winger of Burnley.

“Wait and see.”

Surprise

This would be a really surprising situation to develop in the final weeks of the window, because there has been little noise about the future of Gnonto.

In the summer most people expected him to get his way and move, but he didn’t and he’s found himself rightly behind Crysencio Summerville in the pecking order now.

If a sale does happen it would surely be for a good fee, which would allow a replacement to come in and also potentially help the club to push for other arrivals too like full-back.

Benson has struggled for regular game time at Burnley this season and Vincent Kompany is probably going to be willing to let him leave for the cash, which would in turn allow them to strengthen.

It will be an interesting scenario with a lot of moving pieces in the coming weeks, but Leeds fans are going to have to keep an eye on this situation before the deadline passes.

In other Leeds news, 49ers must act quickly to get deal done after “unfair” statement drops.

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