Manchester United are one of the teams thought to be interested in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanaian star, who has lit up the Premier League this season with six goals and three assists in 11 games, has a release clause of £65 million, which can be triggered at the start of the January transfer window.
This is according to The Athletic, who claim United had a vested interest in Semenyo in the summer before ultimately signing both Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo. With Tottenham and Liverpool also on the list, the chance to sign Semenyo may be too good to turn down.
Express Sport are already looking into the possibility of a swap deal that would offer Bournemouth a replacement at a reduced price, with United’s star trio potentially going in the opposite direction. Here we take a look at how Ruben Amorim could link his team in attack with Semenyo at Old Trafford.
Antoine Semenyo
If Semenyo doesn’t start straight away, United won’t be paying £65 million or any player swap fees.
That’s one of the benefits of signing a player with a proven track record in the Premier League. He is capable of playing on either wing and could fill in alongside Mbeumo and Amad in his preferred position on the left flank when they take part in the African Cup of Nations.
Semenyo hopes to start on the left when everyone is fit and has played that role at Bournemouth this season, which could force Amorim to reconsider.
Matheus Cunha
Cunha could lead from the front. Benjamin Sesco has had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford and is set to miss next month through injury.
However, the Slovenian sensation is a long-term project and he probably shouldn’t be trusted to start every game. Rasmus Høylund has failed to live up to such expectations and is currently on loan at Napoli, where he will make the move permanent for £38 million.
Cunha has proven his ability to play centrally, especially in big games, and has potentially explosive firepower on his side through two top-level wingers.
Brian Mbeumo
Mbeumo has arguably been United’s player of the season so far and there is little that can be done to take his place on the right-wing.
There will be concerns when he and Amad depart for AFCON, but a slight change could see Semenyo slot in on the right alongside Cunha and Sesco.
United’s attacking line, strengthened by the prospect of Semenyo, looks very promising as Amorim begins to oversee the resurgence of the M16.
