Arsenal are unlikely to compete with Manchester United to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo during the winter transfer window, according to reputed journalist David Ornstein.
Semenyo has had a fantastic first half to the Premier League season with the Cherries. He has registered eight goals and three assists from 16 appearances for the South Coast outfit.
His form has led to suggestions that he could leave next month. Semenyo has a release clause worth £65 million in his contract, which is valid for the first 10 days of January.
Speaking to NBC Sports, Ornstein provided an update on interested clubs in Semenyo.
The respected journalist said that Liverpool are not considering a move, while the attacker has no desire to join Tottenham Hotspur despite them offering a significant salary.
Semenyo is reportedly focusing on a potential move to Manchester United and Manchester City.
Ornstein clarified that Arsenal might have looked at the situation ‘more towards’ the summer, but the 25-year-old is unlikely to wait until that point. He prefers a mid-season exit.
Ornstein said: “Liverpool are said to have had great admiration for him.
“They have not moved to the same extent so far, but let’s see if anything changes around the Isak injury situation.
“Tottenham were keen, and I am led to believe they were prepared to pay a significant salary to Semenyo, but he’s politely focusing on other options, mainly City or United.
“Arsenal might have looked at the situation, but more towards the summer, and I don’t think he is willing to wait until that point.”
Arsenal’s stance on Semenyo is not a surprise
The Gunners spent more than £250m on eight players last summer. They brought in Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze to bolster the attack for manager Mikel Arteta.
The London giants were fancied to recruit a marquee left-winger too. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo was regularly mentioned as a target, but a deal did not materialise in the end.
Semenyo has excelled playing from both wide attacking positions this campaign. He has made almost an equal number of contributions from either flank for Andoni Iraola’s side.
He has also worked hard defensively with an average of five recoveries and almost two tackles per game. The attacker has won 6.4 duels on average during the league campaign.
If Arsenal were to enter the race for him in January, Semenyo would undoubtedly choose them, considering he has mentioned in the past that he is a boyhood fan of the club.
However, we don’t see a deal happening. Leandro Trossard has been a revelation from the left wing this campaign, registering six goals and providing five assists from 19 appearances.
While Trossard has shone in the Premier League, Gabriel Martinelli has starred in the role in the Champions League.
The Brazilian has scored in all five of his Champions League appearances this season, setting a new club record.
A move for Semenyo would obviously require one of Trossard or Martinelli to head for the exit door. That seems unlikely to happen with both wingers proving their credentials this term.
The scenario could be different over the summer. Trossard’s current deal expires in June 2027, and he could be offloaded to pursue a marquee left winger to compete with Martinelli.
Hence, Arsenal’s stance on Semenyo is not a surprise. The Ghanaian star has no desire to wait until the summer, which means the Gunners are probably out of the race for his signature.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com