Manchester United are seriously considering a move for Antoine Semenyo and have made phone calls to gain a better understanding of the situation ‘in the last 48 hours’, according to reports.
Semenyo has been in scintillating form for Bournemouth this season, causing defenders nightmares up and down the country with his pace, power, physicality and ability in front of goal.
Only Manchester United’s Erling Haaland (17) and Brentford’s Igor Thiago (11) have outscored Semenyo (7) 16 games into the Premier League season. The 24-year-old attacker has also chipped in with three assists for Andoni Iraola’s Cherries.
There is mounting speculation that Semenyo could soon be lured away from the Vitality Stadium, though, with the elite of English football queuing up to sign the versatile Ghana international.
Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract at Bournemouth, which is valid for the first two weeks of January, and it’s believed Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and United are all eyeing a potential deal.
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While Semenyo’s admirers will be aware that the forward’s buyout clause drops to £50m at the end of the season, ‘the situation is really heating up’ ahead of next month’s transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, Romano claimed both Manchester clubs and Spurs had made enquiries this week to ‘understand the situation’ surrounding Semenyo’s future.
‘Tottenham are really interested in Semenyo but this depends on what the player wants to do. But Tottenham have a genuine interest in Semenyo,’ Romano said.
‘This week, again, Manchester United and Manchester City called to understand the situation of Semenyo.
‘Between Monday and Tuesday, some calls took place from Manchester United and Manchester City to understand the situation of Semenyo… £65m release clause.
‘So these three clubs [Tottenham, United and City] all called and Liverpool already called in November. But Liverpool are now assessing what they want to do in January and also what’s going to happen with Mohamed Salah before deciding on Semenyo.’
Though he was keen to underline Tottenham’s ‘very aggressive’ interest, Romano stressed that Semenyo would have the final say on his future.
‘The situation is really interesting with many clubs in the race. Again, Tottenham are very aggressive on this one. Tottenham are very interested but it depends on the player,’ he added.
‘Manchester City and Manchester United are in contact. Manchester United have an interest in the player but they already invested important money on Matheus Cunha, on Bryan Mbeumo, so we have do see, financially, what they can do.
‘But the final decision is with the player, more than money, more than FFP, it’s the player deciding here. City and United both called in the last 48 hours.
‘Then Tottenham, in the last few days, have spent a lot of time in trying to attack the situation for Semenyo.
‘And there is Liverpool… interested since November but, again, this depends on what happens with Mohamed Salah and also Liverpool’s financial intentions because they could have different priorities in January.’
Semenyo gave United fans a reminder of what he could bring to Ruben Amorim’s attack with a brilliant equaliser in Bournemouth’s pulsating 4-4 draw at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Facing the media before the eight-goal thriller, Amorim was keen to distance himself from speculation of a potential big-money bid for Semenyo in January.
However, the United head coach made no secret of his admiration for Bournemouth’s top scorer, though, labelling the forward a ‘special’ talent.
Asked if he would like to have a player like Semenyo in his team, the United head coach replied: ‘No, it’s not the case.
‘I think there is a lot of special players in the league.
‘To summarise them: top manager, top team, I really like the team, and a top player, I think he’s a special player.’
Semenyo’s current contract with the Cherries runs through to June 2030.
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