Sunderland are looking to make a late move for one Premier League star.
Sunderland have already added Romaine Mundle to their attack, while they also remain interested in signing a new striker before tonight’s deadline.
With the likes of Mundle, Jack Clarke and Abdoullah Ba available, with Patrick Roberts to return from injury, it was unexpected that Sunderland would go in for another wide-player.
However, Football Insider have now reported that the Black Cats are ‘in talks’ to sign Burnley winger Manuel Benson, after moves to both Leeds United and Southampton collapsed.
Sunderland were previously eager to re-sign Amad Diallo, but their failure to do so appears to have led them to targeting Benson instead.
Who is Manuel Benson?
Manuel Benson joined Burnley from Royal Antwerp in 2022 and quickly became a fan favourite, earning himself a regular spot under Vincent Kompany as he netted eleven goals in the Championship.
The Belgian played a key role in the Clarets’ promotion to the Premier League, scoring four goals in as many games at the end of the campaign.
Benson has since fallen out of favour at Turf Moor though, starting only one game in the top flight and featuring for only 73 minutes all season.
The ‘electric’ 26-year-old had been heavily linked with a loan move back to the Championship with Leeds United and Southampton, however reports have since surfaced that he was set to stay at Burnley.
Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley has since claimed the rumour is ‘one to treat with caution’.
Benson would certainly be an exceptional signing for the Black Cats, but it seems like a strange move so soon after bringing in Mundle.
Benson is way too good to be settling for a place on the bench, while neither Roberts or Mundle would be happy to do so either.
It would be a brilliant addition, but one that wouldn’t make much sense.