It will be interesting to see who Leeds United look to target as a replacement for the likely departure of Crysencio Summerville this summer.
Summerville has seemingly been deemed as the key player Leeds are most open to selling despite winning the Championship’s POTS with 19 goals and nine assists.
Those numbers are going to take some serious replacing from Daniel Farke and his recruitment team, but a reported fee of £30 million should certainly help in doing so.
Despite Summerville, Dan James and Willy Gnonto all enjoying positive campaigns, Leeds’ January transfer activity would hint that Farke is not entirely content with his wide options.
Leeds tried and failed to bring in another right-sided attacker during the winter and it will be interesting to see if they revisit that, irrespective of what happens with Summerville.
Why Leeds should return for January target Manuel Benson
James and Gnonto both enjoyed good runs of form on the right at different points of the season, but the balance of the side was not always necessarily right with them there.
Given that Summerville was a right-footer playing on the left, it would have made more sense for the opposite to be on the other flank, but it was never the case.
As such, Leeds looked at bringing in one of David Brooks or Manuel Benson in the January window. Brooks ended up joining Southampton, while the latter snubbed a deadline day switch in favour of staying at Burnley.
Benson enjoyed a stellar year during Burnley’s promotion winning campaign of 2022/23, with his return of 12 goals earning him the tag of being an ‘electric‘ winger.
However, for whatever reason, Benson was never given the opportunity to shine in the Premier League and having been handed the opportunity to leave by Leeds in January, the decision to reject may be one he regrets.
Leeds are still missing his sort of profile in the squad right now and he is certainly someone they should revisit their interest in, with Burnley actually in need of selling this summer.
Benson to be allowed to leave Burnley this summer
Even more reason for Leeds to be given encouragement regarding another potential move for Benson is that he will reportedly be allowed to leave.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who reported of Leeds’ interest in January, revealed at the end of last month that his future is away from Turf Moor.
That said, Burnley’s stance could, of course, change when their new manager comes in, as Vincent Kompany had still been in charge then.
However, given his pedigree at this level, Benson is certainly someone Leeds should be all over when it comes to strengthening out wide.