Burnley & Leeds Utd transfer target ‘in talks’ with Rafael Benitez after Bristol City exit

Celta Vigo are said to have held talks with Han-Noah Massengo about a possible move, according to reports.

The 22-year-old is a free agent after he let his contract run down, despite an offer from the club to remain at Ashton Gate. He penned an emotional farewell to the supporters and predicted that Premier League football wouldn’t be too far off for Nigel Pearson’s side.

According to CeltaNoticias, they have started to negotiate with Massengo’s representatives and would view his role as a squad player. Celta are managed by former Chelsea, Everton, and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. They finished below mid-table in La Liga last year but after appointing the 2005 Champions League-winning manager will hope for a better year.

Bristol City holds a slight interest in where Massengo ends up because of the compensation they will be entitled to. If he goes to a club outside of England they will get around £270,000 from FIFA, but a move to an English club could see them earn more, given the four years of development they had in his career.

He has reported interest from both newly promoted Burnley and Leeds United, as well as suitors in Germany and France. Leeds this week signed Ethan Ampadu, who is predominantly a defensive midfielder, but there could still be space for Massengo at Elland Road. The Whites know they will have to pay compensation to sign Massengo.

The Clarets meanwhile have yet to sign a midfielder, and that is an area where they are light with Josh Brownhill, Josh Cullen, and Scott Twine their only options at the moment. Massengo’s ambition was to play in the top flight when he joined Bristol City and his arrival in 2019 was hoped to have made that a reality but unfortunately, the dream couldn’t be achieved.

Other clubs interested include Monaco, which is where Massengo began his career, whilst Real Betis, Freiburg, and Wolfsburg are all keeping tabs. Betis of Spain and German outfit Wolfsburg are in the Europa League, and playing on the European stage again could be an attraction to the midfielder.