‘Watch out for this’- Antoine Semenyo to Arsenal update today
Antoine Semenyo has been at the centre of growing speculation about his future at Bournemouth amid interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and more.
Semenyo signed a new contract during the summer which includes a £65million release clause, placing interested clubs on alert ahead of the mid-season window.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, a January move for the 25-year-old is not guaranteed and clubs could be tempted to wait until the summer when that release clause fee drops to just £50million.
Former chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 4 December that Man United want to sign Semenyo in January and could accelerate their interest.
Despite that, Mikel Arteta‘s side may opt to be patient in their pursuit, while other top sides are also considering a summer move for the lower price.
Arsenal race Liverpool to sign Antoine Semenyo
Football Insider revealed on 2 December that Liverpool are the front-runners to sign Semenyo despite uncertainty about whether he will leave mid-season.
The Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes still has strong connections at Bournemouth, but that has not deterred a number of rival clubs from taking an interest.
Arsenal are now firmly among those clubs as they look to further bolster the depth of their squad as part of their goal to win the Premier League title.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, well look, right now Semenyo is probably going to be the most talked about player in the January window.
“Liverpool have been front runners for him, City now are also weighing up a move to trigger that release clause as well for around £65 million in January.
“Arsenal are admirers and they could make a move, Tottenham are admirers, and Manchester United have also showed an interest in Semenyo as well.
“So as I said, it’s going to be probably one of the transfers to watch for in January.
“It’s just whether anybody’s ready to activate it and pay that £65million, but they could wait until the summer when the release clause drops to around £50million.
“Bournemouth don’t really want to lose Semenyo in January, because he’s going to be a tough act to replace, but because of that release clause they will be powerless to keep him.”
Liverpool leading the race to sign Semenyo
Football Insider revealed on 5 December that Liverpool are the front-runners to sign Semenyo despite interest from Arsenal and their other rivals.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed in October that Liverpool have an advantage in the race for Semenyo thanks to Hughes’ connections at Bournemouth.
The sporting director signed Semenyo for the Cherries during his spell at the Vitality Stadium, and could now look to bring the player with him once more.
Semenyo has also 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.
Despite his release clause being seen as an achievable price for most interested clubs, whether they will be willing to trigger it in January is yet to be seen.
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