Sunderland-linked attacker Manuel Benson was left out of Burnley’s Championship squad at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats are looking to wrap up their summer transfer window in a positive fashion, having not made significant strides in bringing players in.
The issues surrounding the signing of a striker have taken up the entire summer, and as a result Sunderland are only days away from the window closing without any progress in a bid to bring 2023/24 Ligue 2 top scorer Alexandre Mendy to the club.
On a positive note, Eliezer Mayenda has revelled in the position of striker for Sunderland, scoring two against Sheffield Wednesday in the first home game of the season.
Whilst striker signings are still fairly far away from being completed at this moment, winger Manuel Benson has been linked with a move to Sunderland, and the Angolan international was left out of Burnley’s squad that lost 1-0 to the Black Cats.
Manuel Benson left out of Burnley squad amid Sunderland rumours
The Black Cats recently came out as 1-0 victors in a statement win against Scott Parker’s Burnley.
On the pitch Regis Le Bris’ side were able to prove that they can be a force to be reckoned with in the 2024/25 campaign, whilst off the pitch there was the notable absence of Benson.
When Benson was not involved in the side amid transfer links to Wearside, Parker said to Burnley Express: “That’s just where they [Manuel Benson] are in terms of their state and how they see it this year.
“I decided it was probably best that they weren’t involved.”
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Manuel Benson will be the perfect Jack Clarke replacement
Following the 1-0 win against Burnley, it was announced that Jack Clarke had moved on to Premier League side Ipswich Town, something that always seemed inevitable this summer.
Whilst it will be incredibly difficult to bring in a player that can replicate the attacking output of Clarke on the wings, Benson certainly comes close, and any chances to sign the winger should certainly be taken up by Sunderland.
Whilst Benson was given very limited game time last season, tallying just 110 minutes of game time throughout the Premier League campaign, he shone for Burnley in the 2022/23 Championship season, scoring 11 goals in 33 appearances.
He was crucial under Vincent Kompany in the Championship and the lack of game time that he was given was inexcusable considering the talents that he possessed, and the fact that he is available to leave gives Sunderland the best opportunity to go close in replicating Clarke’s talents.