Man United are reportedly battling it out to secure the signature of an in-form Premier League star, who a former player believes would be well worth his hefty price tag
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been told splashing out on Antoine Semenyo would be money well spent
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Manchester United will need to fork out £80million to secure the services of Antoine Semenyo, it has been claimed.
The Old Trafford outfit have been the subject of reports linking them with a move for the in-form Bournemouth forward, who has already scored six goals in eight games in the Premier League this season. Liverpool are another club reportedly mulling over a deal for Semenyo, who penned a new five-year deal with the Cherries during the summer.
Despite his extended contract, Bournemouth could face serious interest in the forward if he continues his impressive performances. A figure of £75m was previously floated for the Ghana winger in the last transfer window, but former United goalkeeper Ben Foster is convinced it will take more than that for his departure to be sanctioned.
The ex-England and Wrexham shot-stopper also reckons Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona will be chasing Semenyo, meaning United could face stiff competition from three other clubs if they choose to pursue him. However, Foster believes it would be a battle worth fighting after describing him as "the full package".
Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, he said: "Semenyo could go anywhere. He is a thing of beauty. The biggest thing Bournemouth did this summer was getting him signed down to a new contract. He might be worth £80m.
"This is the market and the world that we live in now. He works his socks off and delivers goals and assists. He's the full package. At 25, he's literally about to come into his prime. It wouldn't surprise me if he signed for Real or Barca."
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo reportedly has a release clause in his Bournemouth contract
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While Bournemouth successfully fended off interest in Semenyo during the summer, his new deal is understood to include a release clause which could pave the way for his departure in the near future. Cherries boss Andoni Iraola was understandably keen to keep a lid on the matter when questioned directly about the release fee.
"I don't know anything about the contracts of the players," he said when quizzed about Semenyo on Friday. "I don't know how much they earn and don't know want to know either.
"The most important thing for me is that he continues playing well. If he does there will be more noise but it's something we take if he's playing well. My concern is to keep him in the spot where he's playing well."
While Semenyo admitted he "didn't feel wanted" enough by other clubs to leave Bournemouth in the last transfer window, his personal development coach expects him to join a "big club" in due course.
Saul Isaksson-Hurst said: "He's unbelievable. He's a Champions League player and was unlucky not to get a move in the summer, but it's a matter of time before he goes to a big club. There was interest. He's one of the most electric players in the Premier League at the moment. So there's no ceiling.
"If you can dominate the Premier League you can dominate any league. He could play for any of the big clubs and make an impact. I said to him straight away, 'You should be playing Champions League football.' That's got to be the initial target. How's he going to do that?"
He added: "You've got to be one of the best players at Bournemouth and help them have a really successful season and ideally be one of the highest for goals and assists in your team and in the league which will give you the platform to do that. It's a natural progression."
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