Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, has spoken out to reassure fans that Antoine Semenyo is concentrating on his football, despite rumors linking him with Manchester United and Liverpool.

Semenyo’s goal drought, amidst persistent transfer talk, raises concerns about its impact, as the Cherries gear up for a Premier League clash with United.

Iraola, nonetheless, was quick to protect the Ghanaian forward’s dedication, stressing that his impact extends beyond goals.

The Spaniard mentioned Semenyo’s enduring value to Bournemouth’s attacking style during his pre-match press conference.

“We cannot only analyse the numbers,” Iraola insisted. “He’s not our number nine. He’s a winger who gives us a lot of goals and a lot of assists, and he gives us chances normally. He was the biggest threat against Chelsea the other day.”

Iraola believes that Semenyo’s value extends beyond his future, as his speed, work rate, and strength consistently cause problems for opposing defenses.

The manager spoke about the psychological impact of daily transfer speculation, particularly from top Premier League teams.

According to Iraola, the speculation hasn’t unsettled the 24-year-old.

“I don’t feel the transfer speculation is affecting him a lot,” he said. “When you hear your name every day in the news, you have to deal with the situation, but I think he’s committed, and I haven’t seen a lot of changes in him.”

While Bournemouth aims to beat Manchester United, Iraola’s support for Semenyo highlights his confidence in him and his importance to the team.

The Cherries will benefit if the winger focuses on playing well instead of seeking attention.