Ruben Amorim ready to activate £65m release clause as clubs scramble to sign Bournemouth forward
United are locked in a four-way tussle with Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool for the coveted Bournemouth forward, whose £65m (€74m) release clause activates from the start of next month.
City want Semenyo, but United are among the suitors out to take advantage of the doubts about whether Guardiola will still be at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of this season.
Guardiola is contracted to City until June 2027, but the club are reported to be advancing their contingency plans amid the possibility of the Catalan leaving in the summer after a trophy-laden decade in Manchester. City would not comment on Guardiola’s future and sources close to the club pointed to the new contract that he signed 13 months ago.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is said to be high among the candidates to replace Guardiola should he go.
It remains to be seen whether the uncertainty around Guardiola has any bearing on Semenyo’s decision or the club’s efforts to strengthen next month, but City’s rivals are expected to try to exploit that situation.
Semenyo (25) is in huge demand and has a big decision to make as he plots his next career move. United wanted to sign Semenyo last summer but baulked at Bournemouth’s £80m-plus asking price.
But United remain keen to add the Ghana international to their squad now the release clause inserted under the terms of the new five-year contract he signed with Bournemouth in July has lowered his price and are expected to make their move.
Ruben Amorim is a huge admirer and described Semenyo as a “special player” ahead of Monday’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, which the forward scored a fine goal in, while Guardiola has labelled him “extraordinary”. United have lost forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, as well as defender Noussair Mazraoui, to the Africa Cup of Nations.
But Ghana’s failure to qualify for the tournament means Semenyo is still available for selection, which holds added appeal as Amorim looks to compensate for the loss of key forwards amid the pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Amorim adapted his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation against Bournemouth to a fluid 4-4-2 at times and he is expected to utilise a back four over the coming weeks as he deals with the loss of some important players.
Tottenham, who also tried to sign Semenyo last summer, are still eager to add the player to their squad. Liverpool also have a keen interest in Semenyo although it remains to be seen if the situation around Mohamed Salah’s future is a complicating factor.
Pep Guardiola: Speculation
Sources anticipate that any deal for Semenyo is likely to be one earlier rather than later in the winter transfer window.
Salah has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia since claiming he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool.
The Egypt forward was left out of Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League victory over Inter Milan before returning to the fold in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Brighton. But Salah is now away at the Africa Cup of Nations, the final for which takes place on January 18.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes signed Semenyo for Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10m three years ago when he worked at the south coast club.