Despite their wish to keep Antoine Semenyo until the conclusion of this season, Bournemouth grudgingly acknowledges that they might not be able to stop him from departing the team as early as January.
Clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in Semenyo last summer, but he signed a new contract in July and has had a great season.
Bournemouth kept him by including a release clause in his new contract, and it has worked well; the forward, 25, has nine goal contributions, helping his team reach ninth in the Premier League.
Semenyo’s fee was previously £70 million, but the winter sale price is now £65 million. Bournemouth would have a couple of weeks to find a replacement for their best player, as this can be activated by any team by a certain date.
Liverpool, Manchester City, and Spurs are reportedly interested in the Ghanaian player. If Bournemouth can keep other teams away, they can buy him at a reduced price when the next window opens.
Bournemouth has experience in handling key players leaving, so losing Semenyo may not be detrimental.
Real Madrid signed centre-back Dean Huijsen in May, triggered by a £50m clause, and Spurs had acquired striker Dominic Solanke the previous year, with his £65m exit clause in play.
Despite selling Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, and Dango Ouattara, Bournemouth has maintained its progress. The precedents suggest they will work on all positions and plan if Semenyo departs.
Semenyo’s potential has always been apparent, a skillful, ambidextrous winger whose mix of technique and power makes him nearly unstoppable when running at top speed. However, following a strong finish to the 2024-25 season, the Ghanaian’s offensive production has soared, accounting for nearly a third of Bournemouth’s goals and assists this season.
Under Iraola, the 25-year-old has shone, playing his best when he can exploit space on the break. This season, nobody has scored more goals from counterattacks, and all three were impressive.
Semenyo is a winger, but he offers more than just dribbling and breaking. Due to his strong physique, he excels in physical contests, is difficult to dispossess when facing away from the goal, and also works tirelessly off the ball, which suits Iraola’s smart, aggressive tactics.
This news will likely alert Europe’s biggest clubs. Semenyo is the ideal forward for teams seeking a game-changer, given his skill in transition and past success against Premier League defenses.
Credit: The Thletic
