Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Alex Oakhill

Wed 15 October 2025 8:00, UK

As Bournemouth saw the heart of their 2024-25 squad ripped out during the summer transfer window, securing the future of Antoine Semenyo provided a touch of respite.

Semenyo signed a new five-year deal at the Vitality Stadium, ending months of speculation about where he would be playing his football this term.

The 25-year-old starlet was seemingly linked with everyone and anyone in the Premier League, but in the end, he opted to stay put on the south coast.

With Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez all leaving the Cherries, Semenyo bucked the trend, and it is quite possibly the best decision he has ever made.

Antoine Semenyo chose Bournemouth over top Premier League clubs

2024-25 was the campaign in which Semenyo really announced himself on the world stage, scoring 11 goals and picking up six assists in the Premier League, his best ever return in the top-flight.

Of course, his personal contributions on the pitch, combined with Bournemouth’s impressive performances and results under Iraola, meant that the Ghanaian winger was a top target for all of the Premier League’s ‘big boys’.

Semenyo was heavily linked with the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, all of whom had been taken by the 25-year-old’s pace, power and eye for goal.

Manchester United even reportedly sent Ruben Amorim to have dinner with Semenyo in order to convince him to make the move to Old Trafford (The Transfers Podcast).

Despite all the attention, as well as the opportunity for a major pay rise, the attacker stayed loyal to Iraola and Bournemouth, penning a new deal with the south coast club that will run until 2030.

Semenyo’s decision to remain with the Cherries speaks volumes about the trajectory of the club under the ownership of Bill Foley.

The winger clearly feels that he is in the right place for his own development, and he must completely believe in the project at Bournemouth to be able to brush off interest from the likes of Man United and Liverpool.

Semenyo wanted stability not unpredictability

One of the reasons why Semenyo perhaps chose to remain with Bournemouth, rather than sealing a big-money move away, is the stability it provides.

This season, the former Bristol City man has played every single minute in the Premier League for Iraola’s side, continuing on as the Cherries’ talisman.

When you compare him to Kerkez, who left Bournemouth for Liverpool over the summer, the differences could not be starker.

The Hungarian international was one of the best left-backs in the world last season, and rightly earned a move to the Premier League champions, but he has failed to adjust on Merseyside.

Kerkez has been heavily criticised for his performances at Liverpool, substituted early on a number of occasions, and is now at serious risk of losing his place in the side to veteran Andy Robertson.

While there is no guarantee that Semenyo would’ve been met with the same fate as his former teammate, had he opted for a ‘big six’ move, there would certainly have been an element of risk.

By staying with Bournemouth, the Ghanaian international has given himself a platform to shine, with guaranteed game time and a system that he already knows so well.

However, even Semenyo himself may not have even foreseen the levels that he has reached in the opening stages of the season.

The Andoni Iraola effect

No one bar Erling Haaland has scored more goals in the Premier League than Semenyo’s six so far this season, and no one bar Jack Grealish has picked up more assists in the Premier League than Semenyo’s three.

The 25-year-old is, without doubt, in the form of his life, and a lot of the praise has to go to Iraola.

Semenyo joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in January 2023, but scored just one Premier League goal between then and the end of the season, and was underwhelming to say the least.

Since his own arrival at the club in the summer of the same year, the Basque manager has sculpted Semenyo into a different beast, and one of the best players in the Premier League.

One of the biggest strengths in the forward’s game is his ability to get shots off with either foot, often catching the opposition’s defence and goalkeeper off guard.

So far this season, Semenyo has managed 17 shots in the Premier League, with nine of those being on target.

What makes it even more impressive though, is that, taking away his one headed effort on goal, Semenyo’s shots have been split evenly, eight on his right foot and eight on his left. His actual goals are also split completely down the middle, with three from each foot.

This is an invaluable weapon that Semenyo is utilising superbly and leaves defenders struggling to defend against such unpredictability.

Semenyo is the main man for Bournemouth

Semenyo’s performance as Bournemouth produced a comeback to beat Fulham 3-1 was an example of the Ghanaian at his brilliant best. He grabbed two goals, including a superb solo effort, as well as an assist for Justin Kluivert.

There is no doubt that Semenyo is the main man for Iraola’s side, and that is evidenced by how often he gets the ball.

Against Fulham, the winger had 61 touches, more than any other Bournemouth attacker, often collecting possession on the left-hand touchline before driving into the box.

So far this season, Semenyo has been directly involved in nine of Bournemouth’s 11 Premier League goals, which is a higher percentage (81.8%) than any other player in the top-flight.

By staying with the Cherries, it has enabled the attacker to continue on as their talisman, highlighting his immense talent and seeing his reputation skyrocket.

Is Semenyo’s departure inevitable?

Of course, the talk around Semenyo’s Bournemouth exit will only grow with his sensational form, and even the most optimistic Cherries fan will realise that it is likely he will be snapped up eventually.

Despite penning his new deal last summer, the biggest clubs around Europe have very, very deep pockets and have the finances to make a move happen.

According to talkSPORT, there is a release clause included in Semenyo’s contract, which means that Bournemouth will be powerless to stop his exit should an interested party trigger it.

The exact value of the clause is unknown, and the Cherries will be hoping to keep it that way, in order to hang onto their talisman for just a little while longer.

If Bournemouth do something ridiculous this season and qualify for the Champions League, then they will fancy their chances of keeping Semenyo. If not, there could be another heartbreaking exit on the cards at the Vitality Stadium.