Antoine Semenyo: Man City leading transfer race for United target

Manchester United are refusing to let Antoine Semenyo join a Premier League rival in January without a fight as the race for the red-hot Bournemouth winger reaches fever pitch, according to a report.

Semenyo is enjoying the best campaign of his career at the Vitality Stadium, having returned seven goals and three assists in the Premier League this season. Only Brentford and Manchester City strikers, Thiago and Erling Haaland, have more.

Semenyo’s seventh strike came in Monday night’s chaotic 4-4 draw with United at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim having specifically name checked the 25-year-old winger as a “special player” ahead of the clash.

It was a match full of twists and turns — a neutral’s dream, but a manager’s nightmare — with Semenyo twisting and turning United’s defence inside out to score his side’s first goal.

It was a devastating contribution, demonstrating the full array of talents which have won the Ghana international admirers at virtually every top club in England.

Semenyo signed a new contract last summer after United and Tottenham Hotspur made overtures to sign him. But it contains a £65 million release — active for the first ten days of the winter window — which makes it certain his future with the Cherries will once again be under scrutiny next month.

Both United and Spurs remain on the hunt for the versatile winger, capable of playing equally effectively on either side of the pitch, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are also in the race.

There has been doubt that United would have capability to finance such a move in January, with the club thought to be focusing funds on next summer’s window.

But Sky Sports reveals they are “firmly in the race” for Semenyo with the belief that he represents a unique market opportunity.

“United have not been actively looking to sign another forward in January but believe the opportunity to sign Semenyo – which will come next month and for a set price – is something they must genuinely consider.

“Semenyo, who has scored 29 goals in over 100 appearances for Bournemouth, has been of long-term interest to the bosses at Old Trafford, Sky Sports News has been told.

“The biggest obstacle for United is financial, though. While they are not currently at risk of breaching the PSR regulations, a £65m fee could have serious repercussions on what they can afford to spend in the summer, where a defensive-midfielder is the absolute priority.”

United’s rivals do not face the same constraints. Spurs are said to have “intensified their interest in triggering” the release clause on January 1, while sources close to the situation believe City are the “strongest contenders for Semenyo’s signature,” with Pep Guardiola eager to bolster his squad with a dynamic winger.

However, Sky Sports maintains the Red Devils are “serious rivals” to both City and Spurs for the Ghanaian, who certainly showed what is capable of providing to Amorim’s side at Old Trafford last night.

Featured image Lewis Storey via Getty Images

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