Tottenham Hotspur will find it tricky to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in January
Tottenham Hotspur are in urgent need of reinforcements this winter as they look to maintain their promising start to the new season. The Lilywhites beat Everton 3-0 away on Sunday to climb up to third in the Premier League table, whilst staying unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League after three fixtures.
However, despite their encouraging results across all competitions, Spurs still have some obvious holes within the squad that requires addressing. The top priority for Thomas Frank in January should be to sign a new left-winger as he relies heavily on wide players to stretch the opposition backline and create chances in the last third.
At present, neither Wilson Odobert nor Brennan Johnson have provided enough to cement their place on the left flank. The Tottenham boss tried out summer signing Xavi Simons in that position but it did not work out, while Mathys Tel has operated predominantly as a No.9 this season. While loanee Randal Kolo Muani can operate off the left, Frank has preferred using him through the middle thus far.
Tottenham Hotspur will find it tricky to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in January.
Thomas Frank is keen on signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in January
Tottenham might miss out on Antoine Semenyo in January
Recent reports suggested that Spurs had identified Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as an option to bolster their left-wing department. In fact, the north Londoners had a £50m bid for the Ghanaian international rejected in the summer transfer window before he put pen to paper on a new four-year contract at Bournemouth.
The 25-year-old’s sizzling form this season has been attracting a lot of interest, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea ready to challenge Frank’s Tottenham for his signature. It has recently emerged that Antoine Semenyo has an undisclosed release clause in his contract, which has given Spurs fans some hope that a deal may be possible in the winter window.
Reliable journalist Dean Jones has now revealed that he is hearing the clause may be around the £65m mark, but he explained that it does not become active until next summer.
“I don’t think he will leave in January because from my current understanding of the situation, the clause in his contract would not be live at that stage. I also don’t believe Bournemouth have any interest in allowing it to happen in that moment,” Dean Jones told TEAMtalk.
“The update out of Bournemouth remains that the player is satisfied with his status because of their strong start to the season, but of course, that does not mean he will not look to change things long-term.
“In terms of the figures around his clause, they are continuing to remain secretive around it, but I was told recently that it is in the mid-60s. So, we will have to wait and see on that. It is unconfirmed at this stage and there also remains a lack of clarity around when the clause would even kick in, so the situation is going to linger for a while.”
Journo reveals reason why Spurs could not sign Antoine Semenyo in January
Tottenham could miss out on Antoine Semenyo’s signing in January
Blow for Tottenham?
This development comes as a major setback for Tottenham, who must now identify alternative targets for Semenyo before the transfer window reopens in the New Year. While the players currently at disposal still have an opportunity to impress Frank, it appears increasingly likely that the club will move decisively for a new left-winger as a potential long-term replacement for Son Heung-min, who left the club for MLS in August.
It is fair to say that Semenyo has been among the best players in the Premier League this season, and his valuable contributions have been a chief reason why the Cherries have been the surprise-package and are second in the table. The African would be an instant upgrade on the current left-wingers at Spurs, adding much-needed flair, creativity and physicality to their attack. With his qualities on and off the ball, he could potentially transform the Lilywhites’ attack.
Boosted by majority owners ENIC’s £100 million cash injection, our fans remain hopeful that the Hotspur Way chiefs will act appropriately to solve the left-wing conundrum and secure the right signing in time for the crucial second half of the season.