With time running out, Southampton are now pushing hard to secure the signing of a right winger before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
It has been no secret that the right wing position has been the priority for Russell Martin this month, with Southampton yet to replace Nathan Tella after the Nigeria international was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £20 million in the summer.
A number of options have been explored, with the likes of Amad Diallo, David Brooks and Liel Abada all being linked at various points over the past month. Adam Armstrong has deputised in the right wing spot, whilst transfer-linked right-back Kyle Walker-Peters has also moved further forward on a couple of occasions this season, but it is clear Martin is after a left-footed player for the role.
HITC Football‘s transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now exclusively revealed to Southampton FC News that Burnley’s Manuel Benson is the player that the Saints are pushing to sign to fill the right wing void as we approach deadline day.
Manuel Benson must choose between Southampton and Leeds
Southampton’s interest in Benson is not new, with the club having explored the possibility of bringing the Belgian to St Mary’s earlier in the window.
Now, with time running out for clubs to get their squad sorted for the rest of the season, Bailey has offered an update on Benson’s future.
Bailey explained: “Benson is an interesting one [for Southampton].
Leeds are looking at him as well. Benson I think will move to Southampton or Leeds, but it’s not a huge priority [for Leeds]”.
Southampton look to have the edge currently, with a loan deal with an option to buy the most likely. However, things can change quickly in the last few days of the transfer window and nothing can be taken for granted with promotion rivals Leeds also sniffing around a potential deal.
What will Benson bring to Southampton?
Benson is arguably the perfect option to complete Martin’s squad ready to compete for automatic promotion this season.
The 26-year-old has bizarrely found himself out of favour under Vincent Kompany since Burnley were promoted to the Premier League, but showed last season he is far too good for the Championship with a number of magical performances.
Benson is a tricky winger who has a real propensity to score from distance and provide a creative spark from very little. That ability to unlock a resolute defence is perhaps the one thing Southampton do not have in their squad currently and Benson could come in and immediately shoulder that creative burden.
Kompany was the man responsible for Burnley spending £3.4 million on Benson and commented on his signing’s ability to do the unexpected on the back of the player scoring in four consecutive games last season, saying: “Goals others would find hard to score are just normal for him. I will still be asking him for some tap-ins, but what he has done for us is fantastic”.
EFL pundit Sam Parkin described the former Royal Antwerp man as ‘electric’ after a memorable brace helped Burnley beat Middlesbrough last season. This was just one of Benson’s 12 Championship goals in a debut season in England in which he also provided three league assists. What makes these numbers even more impressive is that Benson started just 14 league games in Burnley’s title winning campaign.
With just five appearances all season so far for Burnley, it is no surprise that Benson is keen on a move and the prospect of joining a Southampton side breaking records for their current 20 game unbeaten run in the league must be an exciting one.
A right side consisting Walker-Peters – who has been Southampton’s best player this season – and Benson is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the division. Benson would join with a point to prove and will be desperate to help steer the club to promotion and earn himself another shot at the Premier League.