Arsenal are in the mix to snap up Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, according to reports. ESPN reporter Rob Dawson has sources close to the two Manchester clubs and he claims that the hierarchy at Manchester City are concerned that they will have to enter a battle for the Ghanaian international’s signature.
They expect to “face competition” from the Gunners, as well as Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, for Semenyo in January. The forward’s release clause will be active for the first two weeks of next month and it appears there could be a scramble to secure his services.
It’s unclear if Mikel Arteta’s team would have the necessary means to match the £65 million buyout cost for January. Not to be overlooked is the fact that they had to negotiate a loan with a buyout option rather than a long-term agreement in order to recruit Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen because of the risk of violating PSR.
Arsenal’s Semenyo move on one condition
If the Gunners don’t attempt to recruit Semenyo during the January transfer window, he might be lost to a big-six rival. The Bournemouth player is particularly likely to leave in the middle of the season because of his £60 million release clause and £5 million in incentives. If even one of his suitors is willing to spend that much, Bournemouth won’t be able to halt the deal.
Semenyo has never truly been a favourite for Arsenal, but because the winger claims to be a fan of the team, supporters have persisted in thinking a transfer is feasible. In the midst of connections to the Gunners last year, Semenyo declared to The Athletic, “I am an Arsenal fan.” “The two don’t interfere with my work.
Playing against Arsenal, a team I’ve followed my entire life, is fantastic, and I aspire to play for elite teams as well. I have to demonstrate it for it to occur. With six goals and three assists in his first eight games, the 25-year-old had a fantastic start to the season.
