Bournemouth ‘have found their Antoine Semenyo replacement’ after Man City reveal
Antoine Semenyo looks set to join Man City in the January transfer window and Bournemouth have been forced to look for a replacement as a result.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Tottenham star Brennan Johnson is now high on their list of targets.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 14 December that Tottenham are bracing for offers for Johnson and are prepared to let him leave.
The 24-year-old has been out of favour since the arrival of Thomas Frank, having started just 10 of his 21 appearances across all competitions this season.
However, they are not alone in their pursuit as Football Insider exclusively revealed that Ipswich and Brentford also want Johnson, with clubs alerted to his availability.
Bournemouth target Brennan Johnson in January
Brown told Football Insider on 21 December that Tottenham are planning to sell Johnson in the mid-season window and use the funds to bolster their squad.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Wales international is seen as a top target to replace Semenyo.
“Brennan Johnson is an option for Bournemouth,” he told Football Insider.
“It looks like they’re going to lose Semenyo, so they’ve been doing their due diligence and working to identify players who could come in and replace him.
“Johnson is one of those because he’s a very direct player, similar to Semenyo in that respect.
“I don’t think he’s an improvement for Bournemouth, in all honestly, but there aren’t a lot of options out there who would be a step up on Semenyo.
“There are still question marks about Johnson, but there are aspects of his game which would suit the way they play and certainly ignite that interest.
“Obviously a few things have to fall into place before it happens, but Tottenham are open to letting him go and Bournemouth are keen.
“It’s a watch this space sort of thing at the moment, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”
Antoine Semenyo edges closer to Man City move
Semenyo has been widely expected to leave Bournemouth in January since news broke of his £65million release clause, placing top clubs on high alert.
Now, Brown has told Football Insider that Semenyo has decided he wants to join Man City, and has made the interested parties aware of his decision.
Man United and Liverpool had been in the running for Semenyo, but the player has now communicated his preferred destination with the deal set to accelerate.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 22 December that Liverpool wanted to accelerate their move for Semenyo after the injury blow to Alexander Isak.
However, Football Insider later exclusively revealed that Liverpool fear Man City will win the race for Semenyo despite having made contact with Bournemouth.
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