The striker who spurned Leeds United in January will now leave his current club this summer

In what is being called the richest game in football, Leeds and Saints will go head-to-head at Wembley, with the prize for both sides a return to the top of English football.

Both clubs were relegated alongside each other this time 12 months ago and so the desire to promote will be even greater than usual.

For those who lose, they know that the parachute payments are reduced from 55 percent to 45 percent before the second season back in the Championship.

This effectively puts more pressure on those behind the scenes to sell key players to comply with PSR regulations, which are stricter in the EFL. It is said that Leeds will need to raise £100m in the summer if they do not go up.

Leeds’ January target Manuel Benson is expected to leave Burnley

A return to the Premier League would see Leeds shop in a completely different market to what they have done in the last two windows, as well as the upcoming one, should they remain relegated.

In January, Leeds made just one new signing as Connor Roberts joined on loan from Burnley. He is also set to return to Turf Moor after Sunday’s final without a permanent deal in place.

Leeds have tried to make other additions, but after spending big on the likes of Joel Piroe and Ethan Ampadu last summer, they have been limited to loan deals, which Angus Kinnear said would be the case as early as September.

Manuel Benson was one of the players Leeds looked at over the winter due to his limited playing time at Burnley, but has opted to turn down a move to Elland Road.

It’s a decision that ultimately backfired as he only played a handful of minutes in the second half of the season as Burnley went down with a whimper.

And now, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who spoke on the latest episode of the ‘From The Bee Hole End’ podcast, Benson is set to leave Burnley this summer.

After proving to be an excellent asset in the Championship during Burnley’s 2022/23 promotion campaign, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if he was someone they were looking to keep. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Tavolieri said: “A lot of players will come out. I saw a chat question about what’s going on with Manuel Benson and he’s leaving this summer. This is no surprise to anyone.”

Leeds should target Benson if they lose to Southampton

Defeat against Southampton on Sunday would send Leeds to another season of Championship football.

49ers Enterprises have already admitted that key players will have to be sold if Leeds remain relegated, with Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto among those who could leave.

This would leave Leeds very much on the lookout for interiors that can somehow replace the level of production they have brought this season.

Benson scored 11 goals during Burnley’s promotion campaign and is therefore someone who would fit in, and perhaps not cost too much.

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