Manchester United may have a secret weapon in the race to sign Antoine Semenyo after manager Luke Littler calls for a win for Liverpool. The winger follows Littler on social media and the teenage star quipped that it was up to Old Trafford’s recruitment team to sign him.
The reigning world darts champions asked United to trigger Semenyo’s release clause, said to be worth around £65 million, in January this year. It comes as coach Ruben Amorim faces a selection crisis as both Amad and Brian Mbeumo prepare to join up with the national team for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nousser Mazraoui will also have to go on international duty, with competition rules requiring clubs to release players two weeks before the opening game.
This means the trio could leave around the time United play Wolves in early December, but reports suggest the club are looking to postpone their departures.
Littler posted a series of stories on Instagram that addressed the possibility of losing Amado and Mbeumo. The 18-year-old shared a clip featuring footage of the United duo celebrating, with the caption: “What’s the solution to our AFCON concerns?” before showcasing highlights of Semenyo’s attack.
The darts sensation wrote: “If we trigger the release clause we will miss out on Amadou and Mbeumo by a long shot.”
He posted a screenshot of the notification on his social media platform, revealing Semenyo had followed him back, adding: “Step 1. I’ve done my job. Now it’s up to you Reds.”
Semenyo has also been linked with Liverpool and is on United’s list of potential signings, according to reports. According to a reporter for The Athletic, Bournemouth have “reluctantly accepted” the possibility of having to part ways with the 25-year-old before the end of the season in January.
Semenyo, who signed a new contract with the Cherries until 2030 last summer, reportedly has a £65m release clause included in his contract, although there is a deadline for Bournemouth to secure a suitable replacement.
Littler’s public plea comes with less than a month left until the January games, with Amorim’s squad expected to lose two key players by January 17 at the earliest.
They are currently scheduled to miss games against Newcastle United and Wolves, but could miss games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
If Ivory Coast and Cameroon advance in the tournament, both teams could miss games against Leeds, Burnley, the FA Cup third-round tie and the Manchester derby against City.
Mr Amorim confirmed earlier this month that talks would take place with relevant federations. “We have rules about when players have to be released, but we are trying to keep them a little longer,” he said.
“It’s not just about us. We’ll see. We’ll try to arrange something with the federation.”
