Chelsea are involved in a three-way transfer race for a "sensational" forward who is now set to cost £75m this summer, according to a report.
Blues set for attacking reshuffle
With Noni Madueke looking increasingly likely to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer window, amid interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United, some additional reinforcements may be needed in wide areas, and a new target has entered the frame.
The Blues have now submitted a £29m offer for Atletico Madrid winger Giuliano Simeone, who has been a "revelation" in La Liga this season, which means the Spanish are taking their time to assess the bid.
A dream target for Enzo Maresca is Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, with the west Londoners now beginning to lay the groundwork for a potential deal, having recently made fresh contact over a summer move.
Barcelona's Raphinha, Jules Kounde and teammates applaud fans after the match Related
Chelsea now set to bid to sign Barcelona star with £837m release clause
The Blues could make a big offer for a defender, who is protected by an astronomical release clause.
Maresca has set his sights on a number of targets from Spain, but there have also been suggestions a player from much closer to home could be on his way to Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea are now eyeing a move for AFC Bournemouth Antoine Semenyo, but they are not the only Premier League club in the race for the forward's signature, with rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool also in the picture.
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo looks on
Semenyo has emerged as a key player for Bournemouth this season, and given that he has played a major role in the Cherries' push for Europe, they are hesitant to green light a sale this summer, although they would be willing to listen to big offers.
Bournemouth have now set an asking price of £75m in a bid to ward off the interest from elsewhere, which they believe is fair given the vast sums of money that have been spent on players like Mykhailo Mudryk and Antony.
Chelsea fans will know all about "sensational" Semenyo
The Ghanaian is enjoying an impressive campaign, picking up nine goals and six assists in 33 matches in all competitions, and perhaps his finest moment came at Stamford Bridge, netting a wonder goal in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in January.
Lauded as "sensational" by members of the media, the Bournemouth star has managed to kick on in his second full season in the Premier League, having already eclipsed the number of goal contributions he managed to record in the 2023-24 campaign.
That said, a £75m asking price seems far too high for a player who hasn't long proven themselves at the top level, with the 25-year-old yet to make an appearance in a European competition.
If Bournemouth are willing to drop their asking price, there is every indication Semenyo could be a worthwhile signing, but a fee of £75m should be reserved for players in the world-class category, and the Ghana international is not there just yet,