Hull City have reportedly verbally agreed a loan deal for Burnley attacker Manuel Benson for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 26-year-old was one of Vincent Kompany's first signings at Turf Moor in the summer of 2022, joining from Belgian Pro League outfit Royal Antwerp for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.
Despite not always featuring in the starting XI, Benson helped the Clarets to the Championship title last campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in 33 second-tier appearances.
Game time has been even harder to come by for the Belgian this term - although an injury sustained in September is partly to blame - with the winger making just four Premier League appearances for the newly-promoted strugglers.
According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull are lining up a move for Burnley's Benson in the opening stages of the New Year and currently lead the race for his signature.
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The report claims that Liam Rosenior's Tigers and the Clarets have verbally agreed a loan deal for the player until the end of the current campaign.
It is understood that Kompany is reluctant to lose Benson due to his status as a fans' favourite at Turf Moor, however the former Manchester City defender understands the winger's desire to play regular first-team football.
Hull are not alone in their interest of the ex-Genk man, though, with second-tier rivals Southampton - along with unnamed clubs from Germany and France - keen on the attacker.
A separate report from the Burnley Express has poured cold water on the links between Benson and the Saints, however, with there apparently being "no chance" that the player switches to Russell Martin's side.
The relationship between Burnley and Southampton worsened over the summer when the Clarets failed to lure Nathan Tella from the South coast on a permanent deal, and the former Turf Moor loanee went on to sign for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
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In stark contrast, Hull and Kompany's men have already completed successful business together this season, with Scott Twine moving a loan from Lancashire to the MKM Stadium for the campaign.
The Tigers' search for attacking signings is even more significant due to the knee of injury of standout performer Jaden Philogene, who is expected to be sidelined until late January.
Under the ambitious leadership of Turkish owner Acun Ilicali, Hull are targeting a return to the Premier League via the playoffs, with the Humberside club currently sixth in the Championship standings.
With transfer speculation intensifying around Benson, it will be fascinating to see whether the Belgian plays a part in Burnley's FA Cup clash at Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.
Carter White
