Arsenal could thwart Liverpool and Man City's transfer pursuitplaceholder image
Arsenal could thwart Liverpool and Man City's transfer pursuit | Getty Images
Arsenal have not been ruled out the running to sign this Liverpool and Man City transfer target
Antoine Semenyo is one of the most talked about players in football right now. Ahead of the January transfer window, multiple reports are speculating where he will end up, as a move away from Bournemouth looks increasingly likely.
Liverpool and Manchester City have emerged as leading contenders to sign the winger, while other clubs have faded into the background. However, a fresh update claims that Arsenal are ‘not out of the question’ when it comes to the transfer battle for Semenyo.
Former Everton and Aston Villa chief Keith Wyness has revealed that the Gunners could still be in the picture to sign the Cherries star, based on what sources have told him.
Arsenal not ruled out of Antoine Semenyo race
“There was a rumour which was interesting about Semenyo coming to Arsenal almost as a blocking transfer to stop anybody else trying to strengthen. That would be interesting,” Wyness told Football Insider.
“And if they got rid of Gabriel Jesus, then possibly that’s something that could happen. However, something we’ve talked about before is the good work that Arsenal have done in getting the other contracts with the players signed early, and getting them tied down to get stability.
“And I think that’s one of the key things that Mikel Arteta has been preaching about is stability in the squad. However, if there’s a chance to add quality in January, then they may well do it. It would all depend on the deal.
“I don’t know how many deals are actually live for him. I mean he’s saying he’s apparently turned down Spurs. We’ll just have to wait and see where he ends up. But Arsenal’s not quite out of the question there from all I’m hearing.”
Potential Arsenal hijack would leave City and Liverpool red-faced
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table has shrunk to just two points, with Man City gaining on them after closing the gap. Liverpool are still a way off the top spot but have climbed the table in recent weeks thanks to a significant turnaround in their recent nightmare run of results.
Liverpool are eager to sign Semenyo as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah and recent reports have suggested they are in the driving seat for his signature. Earlier this week, Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol reported that Semenyo will accept a move to Liverpool, should they submit an official offer.
“If Liverpool come in for him, he'll go to Liverpool. Liverpool is too good a move to turn down. They have been big admirers of him. They have looked at signing him before,” Solhekol said.
However, The Athletic has since reported that Semenyo prefers the idea of joining Man City, which blows the whole transfer situation wide open.
Both City and Liverpool have been heavily linked with Semenyo, and if the ongoing merry go-round of rumours is to be considered, both clubs likely believe they are in with a huge shot of signing him. Should Arsenal swoop from behind their rivals, it would leave both frustrated, especially given how closely connected they are to the player.
Right now, Arsenal are pushing for the Premier League title and Semenyo could be swayed by chances, which would leave Liverpool and City red-faced, given their long-standing interest.
Semenyo will be available to sign for his release clause price for a short period of time in the new year. Fabrizio Romano recently reported that clubs will have less than two weeks once the window opens to utilise the active £65 million release clause.
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