(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Antoine Semenyo responds to Abdul Fatawu's message after Sunderland transfer decision

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Abdul Fatawu was central to Leicester City's victory over Charlton Athletic amid a backdrop of speculation over his future at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester have seen several key names depart the club after their relegation from the Premier League, with Conor Coady, Wilfred Ndidi, Mads Hermansen and Kasey McAteer sold for a combined £45million.

Further interest in the likes of Bilal El Khannouss and Fatawu has followed, which left Leicester in an "impossible" position as they weighed up the prospect of losing both their playmakers for big money.

Sunderland launching a £28m bid for for Fatawu in recent days had left the writing on the wall for Patrick Roberts' career at the Stadium of Light, albeit the Black Cats are yet to follow through with that interest.

Sunderland Regis Le Bris
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris wanted to sign Abdul Fatawu (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Fatawu sends 'together' message amid Leicester exit links

Football Insider revealed on 20 August that Sunderland have turned their attention away from Fatawu after Leicester refused to buckle on the winger's £30m price tag, with Adam Daghim their next target.

Fatawu looks set to stay at the King Power Stadium for the time being, and Leicester fans were delighted that's the case after he curled home a wonder goal to beat Charlton Athletic at the Valley on Saturday.

The Ghanaian cut inside onto his left foot and found the top corner with the only goal of the game in the 48th minute, and Fatawu posted on Instagram on 24 August to celebrate the Foxes' narrow victory.

He said: "Not the game we expected but we stood tall to get the three points that was needed, great effort from the lads together with the fans. Thanks to the foxes – for their amazing support we stay together".

Fatawu's international team-mate Antoine Semenyo, who has also started the season brightly with Bournemouth, responded, calling the 21-year-old; "Too good".

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Semenyo's superb start to the campaign with a brace against the defending champions at Anfield was overshadowed by the racist abuse he was subjected to by a Liverpool fan, a case which is far from over.

Like Semenyo, Fatawu looks set to stay put at his club this summer following Sunderland's abandonment of their pursuit, having already signed Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra for £40m between them.

Further additions will follow after the Black Cats' 2-0 defeat at Burnley in their second Premier League match, and Leicester will be happy to see them move on from Fatawu in a huge boost to their promotion hopes.

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