Bournemouth’s next January transfer could be a stunning coup for a Man Utd & Spurs targetplaceholder image
Bournemouth’s next January transfer could be a stunning coup for a Man Utd & Spurs target | Getty Images
Bournemouth have been linked with a stunning January transfer deal for a wonderkid wanted by both Manchester United and Spurs - can they pull it off?
Bournemouth’s January transfer window will be defined by their mission to replace Antoine Semenyo, whose departure for Manchester City has left Andoni Iraola with a colossal headache and the Cherries without their primary source of both goals and chances. The way they handle that challenge could easily define not only the second half of this season, but have a huge impact on the club’s immediate future in the Premier League.
A few names have popped up on the rumour mill already, but new reports suggest that Bournemouth have an especially ambitious target in mind. Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam and transfer reporter Matteo Moretto both suggest that the club are targeting Brazilian wonderkid Rayan – one of the hottest properties in South American football, and a supposed target for both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. But would Rayan be ready to step into Semenyo’s substantial shoes already, and is this a coup that they can really pull off?
How good is Bournemouth transfer target Rayan?
The 19-year-old forward, who can play as both a central striker and as a winger, is a product of Vasco da Gama’s academy, a Brazil youth international, and the owner of a remarkably impressive scoring record even at this early stage of his career.
Rayan – sometimes also referred to as Rayan Vitor – only established himself as a regular starter at Vasco in the 2025 season but swiftly made his mark, scoring 14 times in 34 Série A appearances, finishing as the top scorer in the Copa do Brasil with five goals, and winning the Brazilian league’s Best Newcomer award. Attention from European sides has duly followed.
Although used more frequently as a winger than as a striker, it’s Rayan’s finishing that has particularly caught the eye. A powerful striker of the ball, his finishing is often precise but always decisive and confident, and he reached 14 goals from an xG total of just nine. He’s especially willing to shoot from angles which might make other forwards think twice, and his success rate in such situations is exceptionally impressive. He has the kind of selfish streak in front of goal which can be a positive attribute in a forward.
He's also blessed with an excellent first touch which, when combined with sharp movement off the ball, allows him to beat his marker quickly and get into more dangerous positions. He isn’t necessarily a first-rate dribbler as yet and tends not to carry the ball significant distances, but his knack for sending the first defender the wrong way or knocking the ball into his stride for a quick effort on goal is undeniably promising.
His work off the ball has been impressive, as well – he’s a willing runner in the high press and forced an average of 2.3 turnovers per game in the Brasileirão, a strong mark which hints at his work ethic and ability to win the ball high up the field.
He wouldn’t, however, be a like-for-like replacement for Semenyo. Partly, that’s because he’s a predominantly left-footed player who typically operates on the right flank, but it’s also because his passing game needs development and he could stand to create more chances for his team-mates when operating in wide areas. He has just one assist in his top flight career thus far, and lacks Semenyo’s all-round game.
Clearly there is time for that side of his skill-set to be developed, but he already looks exceptionally dangerous in the final third, even if he has yet to be tested at the very highest level. Certainly, there is buzz that suggest several major sides are interested in signing Rayan in the near future – so can Bournemouth pull of a shock in the January transfer window?
Can Bournemouth really sign Rayan this January?
While Bournemouth’s intertest in Rayan has now been corroborated by multiple sources, there’s still a long way to go before a deal is finalised – with Mark McAdam reporting that a formal bid has yet to be made, although talks have started.
Finances aren’t likely to be an issue with the club making a significant profit from recent sales, not least that of Semenyo, but it remains unclear how much Vasco might demand for their prized asset. The gossip columns have thrown out a wide range of possible price tags, but it’s likely that the final fee would be rather less than the club earned from the sale of Semenyo. McAdam also added in his reporting that the player’s wage demands would be £30,000-50,000 less than Brennan Johnson is being paid by Crystal Palace after his recent move. This would not be a cheap deal, but neither would it break the bank completely.
The biggest barrier, then, would be competition from other clubs. Manchester United and Spurs are among the sides who have regularly been linked with a bid, although there is nothing to suggest that either side have entered into negotiations. Sport Witness, in their own reporting on Rayan’s future, have suggested that both sides (along with other European teams) are in a “monitoring phase” instead of looking for an immediate deal.
With other teams seemingly content to wait until the summer, that leaves a brief window of opportunity for Bournemouth to take command of the situation. If traditionally larger sides were in the mix, the Cherries might find themselves at an insurmountable advantage.
It’s still possible that Bournemouth’s advances spark other sides into life. Spurs are expected to be big spenders this January and are in the market for attacking reinforcements following the sale of Johnson and the injury sustained by Mohammed Kudus, and could easily enter the bidding. United are less likely to be an issue – they are not expected to sanction large fees for attacking players in the current window and are focusing their relatively limited resources elsewhere.
In short, this an ambitious bid but one which Bournemouth have every chance of pulling off. They are rapidly developing a reputation as a fine club for up-and-coming players to join and would probably be able to offer Rayan more first-team football from the start. They have the finances to get the deal done, and may face more limited competition than might have been expected. The only question is whether another team does enter the market as well – and whether Rayan himself is open to the move. That remains to be seen.
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