Credit: Imago

Daniel Edwards

Mon 6 October 2025 16:19, UK

Antoine Semenyo is one of the highest performing players around Europe this season and the expectation is that Bournemouth will not be able to fend off suitors for much longer.

Semenyo has registered six goals and three assists from just seven games in the Premier League this season for a total of nine goal involvements, a tally which has only been bettered by high-flying Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (10).

Bournemouth lost a host of present and future stars over the summer and it is a testament to manager Andoni Iraola’s abilities that the Cherries find themselves in fourth place in the table heading into the October international break.

Semenyo’s name was floated widely and regularly during the summer transfer window, but Bournemouth stood firm, managing to tie him down to a new long-term deal in July. They are now reaping the rewards.

Alas, such is his current level of output, it would be a surprise to many if this is not his last season at the Vitality Stadium.

Nonetheless, there are only a select number of clubs across world football who could possibly afford his services, with his value being touted at £80million.

But who would be the best fit for the Ghanaian star?

Arsenal

The Gunners are covered long-term on the right with Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, but with Eberechi Eze presently being preferred centrally, there is an opening on the left wing for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal have chopped and changed with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard so far this season, but Trossard has entered his thirties and Martinelli is struggling to fulfill the promise he showed in seasons past.

Semenyo has been linked to Arsenal in the past and he feels like a strong fit stylistically, such is his ability to contribute both in and out of possession.

Arsenal boast the meanest defence in the Premier League this season with 4.4 expected goals (xG) conceded, and Bournemouth and Arsenal are similarly aggressive in their pressing.

They rank first and second respectively for PPDA, which measures how many opposition passes they allow for each defensive intervention they make.

Among wingers and attacking midfielders, Semenyo ranks in the 97th percentile for opposition passes blocked per 90 minutes, the 97th percentile again for aerials won per 90, and the 90th percentile for ball recoveries per 90.

Liverpool

There has been a marked drop in Mohamed Salah‘s underlying data this season for Liverpool and given the Egyptian will be 34-years-old by the start of next season, Liverpool will no doubt be planning for his successor.

Although he has a preference for his right foot when pushed for an answer, Semenyo is essentially two-footed, scoring three goals apiece with each foot this season.

By that measure, there is no reason he cannot switch to the right flank on a permament basis.

Liverpool play at a faster pace than the majority of top sides, moving the ball 1.9 metres upfield per second on average, and this style would allow for Semenyo to continue to make use of his immense ball-carrying abilities.

Arne Slot’s side (15) are the only team to record more direct attacks than Bournemouth (14) this season in the Premier League.

Chelsea

While Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side have arguably signed enough wingers to last a lifetime, with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens added this summer, they can always be counted on to return to the market when a strong opportunity arises.

What the Blues are missing is a winger with strong output. Their highest scoring player from wide positions last season was Noni Madueke with seven goals, and he has since left to join Arsenal.

This season they have once again been unable to rely on wide players to contribute goals, with cental midfield pair Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo their joint-top scorers with three goals each.

Playstyle is a potential stumbling block for Semenyo here, as Chelsea play at a much steadier pace than he has become accustomed to at Bournemouth.

Only Manchester City (4.6) average more passes per sequence of play than the Blues (4.3), while only Wolverhampton Wanderers have moved the ball upfield fewer metres per second this season.