Man United ‘to accelerate Antoine Semenyo deal’, Ruben Amorim has ‘major’ concerns
Man United are planning to step up their interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo amid fresh concerns ahead of the January transfer window.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim wants to bolster his depth up front.
This comes alongside “major” concerns about losing both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.
Semenyo has been a long-term target for Man United, as they also considered a move in the summer before he penned a new deal at Bournemouth.
However, the Ghana international’s contract now includes a £65million release clause, which has inspired rival interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man City.
Man United make Antoine Semenyo plan in January
Brown told Football Insider on 29 November that Man United are accelerating their transfer plans as a result of Amorim’s concerns about his missing players.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that Semenyo could be the answer to their prayers when the January window opens.
“Losing players to AFCON is a major concern for Amorim,” he told Football Insider.
“Both Mbeumo and Amad are going, and Mazraoui behind them, so its the entire right-hand side going away for at least a month.
“It could have a real big impact on their season if they’re not prepared, and the manager feels the squad is light in those areas, so something will have to be done.
“Semenyo is the one they’ve been looking at, because Ghana didn’t qualify for AFCON.
“It looks like he will be available in January because of that release clause in his contract, that’s why there are a few clubs having a look at him.
“But United need to spend in January to improve the squad, and he’s somebody they wanted to bring in during the summer before he signed that contract.
“If the opportunity comes up when the window opens, it would make a lot of sense because he would also be able to plug that hole left by Mbeumo.”
Semenyo’s preferred move revealed after Man City latest
Despite Man United’s growing interest, the Bournemouth star will have a variety of suitors emerging when the mid-season window opens, and will have a decision to make.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 3 December that Semenyo would love to join Man City and is interested in discussing terms in January.
Man City are increasingly likely to sign Semenyo as a result, while Pep Guardiola is planning to bolster his squad and kickstart another title challenge at the Etihad.
Football Insider revealed on 25 November that Semenyo could stay at Bournemouth in January, with a summer move currently considered more likely.
However, given the rising interest in his signature, it would not be a surprise to see a mid-season move to one of the biggest clubs in England.
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