‘It’s the first time I’ve said this’ – Key Antoine Semenyo to Man United update revealed
Man United’s financial position may mean they cannot afford to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks Man United will have to look for a cheaper alternative.
Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his Bournemouth contract, with Man City and Liverpool also keen on the 25-year-old.
Man United’s first quarter financial results showed the club are over £1billion in debt, despite making a £13m profit.
Keith Wyness drops Man United blow
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Man United’s financial position puts them out of the running for Semenyo.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Man United do not have enough financial power currently to buy the forward.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think they can afford him. I think, you know, it’s the first time I’ve probably said for a while that Manchester United can’t afford something.
“And I think you’re right. I think there is a question mark about that. I think on their revolving credit facility, they drew down some more of that recently. And there’s only about, you know, 120 million left, I think, just off the top of my head.
“So they’re going to have to be careful. And I think that might be just too much. I mean, we’re looking at the release clause of 60, 65 million. But the whole Semenyo thing, we’ll have to see where that ends up.
“But yes, for United, I think it could be a question mark, is this the right solution for them? Or is there some other cheaper solution they’re going to have to look for, which I think there may have to be.”
Man United exploring move for £50m star
One player Man United could sign in the January transfer window is Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, who may be free to leave the Molineux club.
Wolves value Gomes at £50m amid interest from Man United, but could be keen to sell the player in January before their likely relegation to the Championship.
Former Wolves player Matheus Cunha, now at Old Trafford, could be key to the deal, and Amorim wants to sign a new midfielder.