Man United ready to strip player of squad number for Antoine Semenyo to take it despite ‘fresh terms’ signed
Manchester United are preparing to make room for Antoine Semenyo’s arrival ahead of the January transfer window.
Football Insider exclusively revealed earlier this week that Semenyo could move on from Bournemouth for more than his £65million release clause in January, with several Premier League sides queuing up for his signature.
Manchester United are firmly among the race for the winger, who has dazzled during the 2025-26 campaign, with six goals and three assists to his name already in league action.
The Ghana international has rapidly become one of the most sought-after players in English football, and the Red Devils are now ready to make allowances for his signing this winter.
Man United prepared to hand Andre Onana’s squad number to Semenyo
Football Insider revealed in October that Liverpool have the edge to sign Semenyo at the moment, but that won’t stop United from making a big push for him.
The Old Trafford outfit are now understood to be prepared to make Andre Onana’s number 24 shirt available for Semenyo to take in January, according to The Mirror.
The wideman wears the number for Bournemouth at present, and Onana is currently away from United during his loan spell in Turkey with Trabzonspor.
United’s stance on that squad number is believed to potentially be “crucial” to any negotiations that arise with the players camp in the coming weeks.
The Mirror also note that Liverpool are also able to offer Semenyo his preferred squad number, with nobody within their group currently in the 24 shirt.
Semenyo only signed “fresh terms” at the Vitality Stadium in the summer, but he insisted that the inclusion of a release clause was a must in order to do the deal.
Semenyo already rejected United in the summer
Manchester United also made an effort to sign Semenyo in the summer, but they were thwarted by the new deal that Bournemouth agreed.
Ruben Amorim was even sent to have dinner with the 25-year-old in order to try and convince him to make the switch, but his efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.
That could be a different story in January, but with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham also chasing a deal, it won’t be straightforward for the Red Devils by any means.
Their recent upturn in form suggests that they may have turned a corner under Amorim, but the uncertainty surrounding them in recent campaigns will surely be a concern for Semenyo.