Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool? The race for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is in jeopardy.
Manchester United and Manchester City remain neck-and-neck when it comes to signing him, with both clubs still ahead of other clubs.
However, Liverpool remain interested and are understood to be considering their options following Alexander Isak’s injury.
Sky Sports News understands Semenyo could make a decision about his future today.
Spurs were interested in the Bournemouth forward in the summer and early this season, but have now moved on to other targets and withdrawn from the race.
Alexander Isak’s broken foot could change Liverpool’s plans for January
So, what will happen to Semenyo in the future? Sky Sports News transfer correspondents Kabe Solhekol and Dharmesh Sheth spoke about the forward’s future on Monday’s The Transfer Show:
Option 1: Liverpool
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News:
“If Liverpool came to sign him, he would go to Liverpool. It’s too good a move for Liverpool to turn down. They are big fans of him and have considered signing him before.”
“They also have a track record of signing players in January. Luis Dias was going to Tottenham but Liverpool came in for him at the last minute. Codi Gakpo looked like he was going to Manchester United.”
“Liverpool doesn’t get involved in bidding wars. They wait until the last moment until another club is about to sign a player and then call them and tell them they’ll match the contract.
“Liverpool are expected to have a quiet January. They have money to spend and if they want to go somewhere they can act quickly to achieve their summer goals.
“In the coming days there will be a discussion on whether to delay Semenyo’s transfer, especially in light of Isak’s injury.”
Option 2: Man City
Kaveh Solhekol:
“If I were Antoine Semenyo. I look at Man City’s team and think it would be a dream come true to sign for Man City. On the other hand, how much game time would I get if I moved there?”
“I’m not sure they really need to spend money in January.
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Kabe Solgekor has explained reports that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could replace Man City’s Josep Guardiola at the end of the season.
“Another interesting subplot is the future of Josep Guardiola. He has signed a new contract until the summer of 2027, but there are already talks that he could end it this summer.”
“What impact could that have on Manchester City’s transfer plans? I would say the club buys players, but Guardiola has been around for a very long time and will have a say in which players come to the club.”
Option 3: Manchester United
Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports News:
“Rouben Amorim has consistently stated that the club will take action in the January transfer window if it is in Manchester United’s long-term interests.
“They continue to keep a keen eye on Semenyo’s development, and that interest goes back further than the summer transfer window.”
“Semenyo signed a new contract in the summer that includes a release clause of £65 million. That clause is only valid for the first half of January, because if someone triggers a release clause, Bournemouth want time to find a replacement.”
Manchester United spent £200m on attacking players this summer
“Then the release clause will be reduced in the summer transfer window. We hope to see some movement in the first half of this transfer window.”
“The interesting thing about Semenyo is if United signed him, where would Amorim want to play him?
“Will he take over for either Cunha or Mbeumo? It’s very unlikely. Is the left wing-back position that Coach Amorim has mentioned for Semenho? And is Semenyo happy to play in that position?”
Carragher: “Semenyo could be a good way to avoid injury to Isak”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher talks about how Liverpool are dealing with Alexander Isak’s injury.
“What is certain now is that Mo Salah will remain at the club and there is a good chance that Harvey Elliott will also return from Aston Villa.
“Whether Liverpool buy a striker or an attacking player like Semenyo, who is closely linked to Liverpool, we all know he has a buyout clause in January.
“Then we have wide players like Salah and Gakpo, who have also played a lot of games in midfield, and we also have young Jaden Dans.
“That was their workaround because I don’t think Liverpool would have spent a lot of money on a player they didn’t want when they had a big problem at centre-back a few years ago.
“They’re not going to bother signing a striker they don’t really want. If they want Semenyo, that’s probably a good workaround.”
Analysis: The case for or against each team.
Antoine Semenyo is a transfer target for Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United
Sam Blitz of Sky Sports:
Liverpool – There are two aspects to this particular route: short-term and long-term.
Semenyo would be a great addition for Liverpool at the moment, as injuries to Isak and Gakpo, as well as Salah’s departure for AFCON, will leave Arne Slott’s side lacking attacking power for the coming weeks.
That’s short-term, but Semenho’s long-term vision at Anfield is more complex. If Salah leaves, Semenyo could be seen as the natural successor to the Egyptian’s role at Anfield.
But putting aside the issue of Salah and Slot, what happens if the former returns to form? So, where will Semenyo fit in alongside Hugo Ekitike once Gakpo and Isak return from injury?
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Tim Sherwood has given his opinion on whether Alexander Isak’s injury will affect Liverpool’s chances of retaining the Premier League title.
Manchester City – This will be another interesting question regarding the team’s competition. If everyone is fit, could Semenyo break into Man City’s squad right away?
Guardiola ultimately managed to establish a team with Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku acting as the perfect trio behind Erling Haaland.
However, there is an argument that the depth of the team remains an issue. The recent 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League showed how the floor of a City team can lift up, and Semenyo could help with that.
Manchester United – Amorim spent around £200m over the summer bringing in Brian Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesco and Matheus Cunha, but is he now looking to add more attacking power to his ranks?
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Amorim described Semenyo as “special” before Manchester United played Bournemouth in December.
Perhaps Joshua Zirkzee’s possible departure in January could leave a hole for Semenyo in the United squad?
One area where Semenyo can play is as a wing-back, where his qualities particularly shine out wide. But could he play there opposite Amad Diallo? Would that be too aggressive?
Bournemouth – Another possibility for Semenyo could be to remain at the Vitality Stadium until the end of the season, especially if his preferred team falter this month.
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Earlier this season, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola said he was not concerned about Antoine Semenyo’s contract situation at the moment and said he would ask about the forward in January.
However, the Cherries are far from the European contenders they were last season. Andoni Iraola’s future is by no means uncertain and there will have to be some dominoes falling on the south coast as Bournemouth need to get back into form.
