Bournemouth absentee in line to return against Man City
Evanilson is nearing a return to action for Bournemouth following a new update on his fitness situation from manager Andoni Iraola.
Bournemouth have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League so far this season under Andoni Iraola, with 15 points from their first eight games to sit in fourth place as it stands.
Although they have exceeded expectations, it is no real shock to see them doing so well after they finished ninth under Iraola in 2024-25 as Evanilson netted 10 goals in his debut campaign at the club.
The Brazil international joined from Porto last summer and had a great first season in English football, but has struggled for form so far this term as Antoine Semenyo takes on the mantle of Bournemouth’s star man.
He missed out on the Cherries’ trip to Crystal Palace last time out with a calf injury, as Eli Junior Kroupi notched a brace in his absence, and now the extent of his injury and potential return date has been revealed.
Iraola says Evanilson could be back to face Man City next week
Following the Palace game, Iraola admitted that he was unsure of the extent of Evanilson’s injury, saying: “Right now, he’s definitely out today. It’s going to be difficult for next one but it’s a small injury in the soleus.
“I hope he doesn’t lose a lot of games but I don’t know. I have no idea. I don’t know how I cannot tell you if it’s one week, two weeks, three weeks. I don’t know.“
The Basque boss updated his verdict on the 26-year-old’s fitness while speaking to the media ahead of the Cherries home clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday (26 October).
He admitted that Evanilson will not be fit to face Sean Dyche’s side, but is hopeful of him being available to take on Man City on 2 November.
Bournemouth cannot lose Antoine Semenyo in January amid Evanilson uncertainty
Evanilson has not hit his previous heights from last season so far in this one, with just one goal from his first eight games in league and cup.
That solitary strike came against Tottenham as Evanilson scored the winner in North London on 30 August, but despite that fine showing, he did not score in his next four outings prior to his injury concerns.
Semenyo has been Iraola’s talisman so far this term amid the Brazilian’s struggles, with six goals in his first eight Premier League appearances in 2025-26 amid widespread interest in his services from other clubs.
Liverpool are long-time admirers of Semenyo, while the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United have also been mooted with interest, but the Cherries have made it clear that they do not plan on losing him in the January window.
New reports have claimed that Bournemouth will demand upwards of £75million for Semenyo when the time is right to sell him, but they cannot let him go in the new year by any means as Evanilson continues to struggle for form.