Antoine Semenyo scored for Bournemouth against Manchester United on Monday in a rollercoaster 4-4 draw, and it's emerged that Ruben Amorim wants him at Old Trafford permanently
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Manchester United are ready to launch a move to sign Antoine Semenyo in January - and they already have plans for where he'd play. Bournemouth star Semenyo was among eight different goalscorers during Monday's rip-roaring 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old forward ended a barren run of seven Bournemouth games without a goal, having enjoyed a prolific start to the season. Semenyo scored six times and provided three assists in the Cherries' opening eight matches to follow on from an impressive 2024-25 campaign.
His exploits for Andoni Iraola's side have piqued the interest of multiple Premier League clubs, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham also linked. And it's enquiries from those rivals that could spring United into action.
The Independent report that United are prepared to sign Semenyo during the winter transfer window, if their competitors make a move. The Red Devils, who are making plans for another big-spending summer, are reportedly confident that they can win the race for the London-born Ghana international, despite their lack of European football this season.
Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his Bournemouth contract, but there's a catch. It must be triggered by January 15 in order for the Cherries to have sufficient time to sign a replacement before the window closes on February 3.
Ruben Amorim is said to be a fan of the ex-Bristol City star's tactical versatility and United can imagine him playing at left wing-back with Amad on the right. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Amorim described Semenyo as a 'special player'.
Semenyo, it's added, is open to moving to Old Trafford next month. Until then, he's focussed on helping Bournemouth recover their form after extending their winless run to seven games.
"I don't think about it too much," Semenyo told Sky Sports last month when asked about his hot-button future. "I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I'm not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.
"I'm enjoying my football here. If I'm not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens."
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 6: Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim could use Antoine Semenyo as a wing-back
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Semenyo could the next cab off the rank at Bournemouth, with the Cherries having sold Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi for a combined £150million last summer. "When they all left, there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club," he said.
"But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year. How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we've bought in as well.
"I wasn't too sure at the start but we've kicked on like a house on fire. I'm glad I committed to staying here because I'm enjoying every moment."
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