Manchester City have held face-to-face talks with Manchester United target Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has revealed.
The Etihad Stadium side are looking to step up their efforts to land the highly sought-after Bournemouth forward, who is reportedly being targeted by at least four Premier League clubs.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also ‘very keen’ on the 25-year-old, although the North London side are reportedly considered outsiders at this stage.
Semenyo, who is under contract until June 2030, has a release clause worth £65m, which becomes active in January.
Man City Hold Antoine Semenyo Talks
Antoine Semenyo
Crook, writing on X, revealed that the transfer race for Semenyo is ‘heating up’ with two weeks left until the market reopens in January.
Ruben Amorim is believed to be a huge admirer of Semenyo and watched the winger score against his side on Monday, when United and Bournemouth played out an entertaining 4-4 draw.
Semenyo has been in exceptional form for the Cherries this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 15 league appearances.
He started the campaign particularly strongly, registering nine of his goal contributions in the first seven games, before going goalless for the following two months.
Bournemouth’s form has been concerning lately, with the Cherries failing to win any of their last seven league games under head coach Andoni Iraola.
Man Utd Called for Semenyo This Week
Antoine Semenyo
As GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano revealed previously, Man United are also monitoring developments regarding Semenyo and made phone calls this week to better understand his situation at Bournemouth.
A move for Semenyo would represent another high-profile attacking signing for the Red Devils in the past six months, following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Man United could be without Mbeumo for almost a month, as the forward has joined the Cameroon squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
United Trio Head to AFCON
amad mbeumo
United are also set to be without Amad Diallo and Noussari Mazraoui for the upcoming Premier League fixtures, as both players have left for the AFCON.
Amad has joined the Ivory Coast squad, while Mazraoui has linked up with Morocco for the tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18.