Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool are wary of signing Bournemouth star forward Antoine Semenyo. The 25-year-old Ghanaian forward, who scored a career-high 11 goals for the Cherries last season and has six goals already this season, has a release clause in his new five-year contract.
Semenyo has stepped up even more since the departure of Dominic Solanke and is attracting attention from top clubs with his impressive performances. According to talkSPORT, his new contract includes a release clause, which could be a boon for Liverpool and United, who were both interested in the player last summer.
Details of the terms that will make Semenyo available at a set price remain undisclosed. However, Bournemouth are thought to value their star striker at around £75m.
It is understood the club agreed to the clause as it was their best bet to sign Semenyo on a long-term deal following his excellent performances last season.
Arsenal were also linked with a London-born attacker last season, but that link disappeared with the addition of Ebele Eze and Noni Madukes, as well as starting striker Victor Gokeres in the summer. Liverpool and United have also added attacking reinforcements but continue to be linked with a summer raid for Semenyo.
Tottenham has also been mentioned as a possible transfer destination. Semenyo’s old teammate Solanke is already at the north London club, as is his international colleague Mohamed Kudus.
Semenyo was away from his home country during the international break and started in World Cup qualifiers away to Central African Republic and at home to Comoros. With this victory, Otto Addo’s team secured top spot in their group and qualified for next summer’s North American tournament.
This was a surprising reversal after the Black Stars missed out on qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations. Semenyo played in four of the six qualifying matches as Ghana finished bottom of their group behind Angola, Sudan and Niger.
When his new contract with Bournemouth was announced in July, Semenyo said: “I have developed a lot at the club, both on and off the pitch. I’m really happy to have signed before we return to pre-season.”
“I can’t praise enough people around the club, from the fans to the staff and team-mates. It’s a great place to be and I’m excited to be back at Bournemouth and continue working hard ahead of the new season.”
He started the season in style, scoring twice against Liverpool on the opening weekend, and Bournemouth came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, only to lose the game in the closing stages.
He also found the back of the net against Brighton and Leeds, as well as scoring two goals and providing one assist in a come-from-behind victory over Fulham just before the international break.
“Semenyo is in a very good position, he’s improving every season,” Cherries manager Andoni Iraola said on Match of the Day after the win. “I think he’s confident. We’ve got to keep him there and encourage him to improve where he can improve. He’s a player who’s making a difference right now.”
