Reliable journalist says Antoine Semenyo joining Manchester City could open the door for Tottenham to sign Savinho in January.
It emerged on Tuesday evening that Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo’s preference is to join Manchester City in the upcoming January transfer window. As per BBC Sport, Manchester City have made positive progress in recent days and now believe they are well-placed to sign Semenyo, whose £65m release clause is only active for the first 10 days of January.
Tottenham have been among the Premier League clubs to have shown an interest in signing the Ghanaian international. But the Lilywhites’ interest perhaps cooled when it emerged that Manchester United and Manchester City were in advanced talks with his camp. Now that Semenyo has seemingly made his preference over next destination clear, Spurs can actually move on to alternative targets.
Thomas Frank’s No.1 priority is to sign a left-winger in the winter window. And there is every chance we could see a ripple effect of Semenyo joining Man City, with Tottenham looking to revive their interest in one of summer’s missed transfer targets.
Tottenham target Antoine Semenyo is keen to join Manchester City in January
Tottenham target Antoine Semenyo is keen to join Manchester City in January
Dean Jones provides an update on Savinho’s future amid Semenyo’s preference to join Man City
Tottenham notably made several attempts to sign Savinho from Man City in the summer transfer window. The young winger had agreed personal terms with Tottenham, making it clear to City that he was interested in joining Thomas Frank’s squad. However, a move failed to materialise as Pep Guardiola felt the need to keep the Brazil international in his squad.
Things could change next month, though. TEAMtalk correspondent Dean Jones feels that the Sky Blues will witness an overhaul in their wing department following Semenyo’s potential arrival, leaving Savinho to head to Spurs. And as earlier mentioned, since Savinho had made it clear that he was interested in joining Spurs, they could possibly sign him if pursued.
“Savinho got 20 minutes off the bench against West Ham United, and recently that’s been about the best he can hope for in the league,” Dean Jones told TEAMtalk.
“If City win the race to sign Semenyo, I really do think there is fresh doubt about Savinho’s place in the squad.
“It’ll be a big decision because they only just gave him a new deal, but I still question why they did that.
“Tottenham definitely made a mark on him, and from what I’m told, he seemed interested, because he would become such a significant player for them.”
Savinho will add dynamism and flair to the Tottenham Hotspur attack.
Savinho will add dynamism and flair to the Tottenham Hotspur attack.
Savinho could welcome a mid-season move to Tottenham
Savinho was keen on moving to Tottenham in the summer, and there is no reason why he would not harbour similar aspirations mid-season, especially if he sees City signing a Premier League-proven winger in Semenyo.
The Brazil international has not really got going this season, finding himself behind the likes of Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki in the pecking order. Lack of regular game time has not allowed him to make much of an influence in the final third, with the winger bagging just two assists in 13 Premier League outings.
Ahead of next summer’s World Cup, Semenyo would be desperate to find a place where he can enjoy regular minutes and get back to his best. Tottenham, in that regard, would be an ideal destination for the former Girona star. The South American trickster could simply walk in at Spurs and make the left-wing position his own, as well as operate from the right and push Mohammed Kudus into a central area.
Savinho is quick, agile, creative and unpredictable, capable of adding the much-needed flair to Tottenham’s attacking unit. Signing him from City in January could become a tad easier when Semenyo joins, and knowing Frank’s admiration of Savinho, the Lilywhites must prioritise his acquisition now.