Image Credits: Imago Images
Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool have expressed interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, whose £65million release clause activates on New Year’s Day. The clause, valid only until the second week of January, gives Bournemouth limited time to find a replacement. A January departure looks increasingly likely.
The release clause is expected to decrease in the summer, but clubs are wary that waiting could be too late. Semenyo has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 17 Premier League games this season. Bournemouth are reluctant to lose the forward, having already lost four key players over the summer, but they cannot prevent a move if a club meets the clause. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said: “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.”
Chelsea made an initial enquiry but have since pulled out. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have been actively pushing in the last 12 hours to advance a deal, with director Hugo Viana in direct talks with Semenyo’s camp. Romano posted on X: “Understand Manchester City have been pushing a lot in the last 12h to try advance on Antoine Semenyo deal. Director Viana in direct talks with player’s camp as #MCFC want final answer as soon as possible. Man United still insisting. Liverpool monitoring. Chelsea are out.”
5 clubs register interest to sign Antoine Semenyo
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