Bristol City hope for Leeds United transfer after £2.7m star rejects Burnley

Han-Noah Massengo has reportedly rejected a move to the Premier League with Burnley, according to reports.

L’Equipe - one of the biggest news outlets in France - reports that he has turned down a move to Turf Moor. They say he has dreams of playing in the Premier League but has doubts over his play time and wants to be given a ‘considerable role’ at his next club. A move to Burnley would have seen him compete with Josh Brownhill among others and he wouldn’t have been a guaranteed starter.

Massengo does have another opportunity for a move to another club in England, with Leeds United said to hold an interest. He would not get a move to the Premier League immediately, but following their relegation, they are considered one of the favourites for promotion, and featuring for them this year could put him in good stead if they achieve their goal.

A move to Burnley or Leeds would have represented a bigger compensation payout to Bristol City, as per FA rules. The Robins will get around just under £300,000 for having him on their books for four years and developing him if he joins a European club, but in England they will get more.

He joined from Monaco for a fee of around £2.7m back in the summer of 2019, and there were add-ons in his deal, though they weren’t met. If he were to join Leeds they would get compensation from the move, but would likely come up against their former midfielder this season. Bristol City face Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday, October 7 and then at Ashton Gate on February 3, 2024.

The 22-year-old spent the last six months of the season on loan at Auxerre, but couldn’t save them from their relegation. He is not exepected to rejoin them, but he does have admirers back in France with his former club AS Monaco said to hold an interest.

Last week it was reported that La Liga outfit Celta Vigo held talks with Massengo. The Spanish club are managed by former Chelsea and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. Reports in the summer said that Real Betis liked Massengo, as well as Freiburg and Wolfsburg. Massengo will need to find a club soon however with the football season in England starting next week (August 5) in the EFL, whilst most top-flight leagues in Europe start in the second week of the month.