Manchester United have suffered a blow in their pursuit to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo as another Premier League rival has 'made an inquiry' into the £65million-rated forward's availabilty
15:57, 23 Dec 2025
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Burnley at Vitality Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Chelsea have joined the race to sign Antoine Semenyo(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Chelsea have emerged as strong contenders to sign Antoine Semenyo, making a last-minute bid for the Bournemouth ace. The 25-year-old London-born Ghanaian international is on the radar of several Premier League heavyweights including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Semenyo could be snapped up for £65million due to a release clause that kicks in on New Year's Day. However, this clause will only be active until the second week of January, giving Bournemouth enough time to secure a replacement.
A move next month seems increasingly probable, and while Chelsea weren't initially considered frontrunners for his signature, they've now entered the race. Reports emerged on Monday evening that the Blues had joined the race after Semenyo and his team spent the day considering their options.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Antoine Semenyo celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 1-0 with team-mate Adrien Truffert during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Burnley at Vitality Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Antoine Semenyo is one of the form players in the league(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
The Mail suggests that Semenyo has a soft spot for Chelsea, having been born in West London. The forward rose through the ranks at Bristol City before making a £10m switch to Bournemouth two years ago.
Semenyo's release clause, which stands at £60m plus £5m in add-ons, will drop in the summer transfer window. However, interested clubs are growing concerned that by then, it might be too late.
The striker has netted eight goals and provided three assists in 17 appearances for Bournemouth this season.
The Cherries are hesitant to part ways with Semenyo, particularly after losing four key players over the summer, but they're ultimately powerless if a suitor triggers his clause. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola remarked: "Semenyo right now is with us. He trained today with us.
"I know that there is lots of noise around him. Not my concern, my concern is it doesn't affect his performances. It is not doing, he is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him here.
"(It's a) situation we cannot control, but Antoine right now is our player. Going to continue playing for us. If you ask me, I don't want to lose him, definitely don't. But every time the market opens, you never know what is going to happen."
"Antoine, for me, has been performing very well. Not just the last two games where he has scored. He has consistently been very good since the beginning. Even when not scoring, he is still valuable for us. At the end, we don't just demand numbers. It is no secret he is a massive player for us."
Iraola can understand why so many clubs are interested, adding: "Yes, he is performing amazingly well. But lots of wingers from other teams are performing amazingly well.
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"In the league, nearly all teams have a difference maker. Especially offensively. I don't know what is going to happen in the winter market."