Antoine Semenyo is starting to think about his next club, and Chelsea have become the latest team to show interest in the Bournemouth forward.
According to sources, five clubs have already asked about the 25-year-old before the January transfer window. These clubs are Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and now Chelsea. The Manchester teams are said to be leading the talks so far, while Liverpool could step up their interest after Alexander Isak’s injury. Tottenham are considered long shots.
Chelsea’s interest adds a new twist. Semenyo has a £65m release clause active only during the first 10 days of January, although the price will drop slightly in the summer. This timing might appeal to Chelsea, who already have a number of wide players like Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jamie Gittens. The club has also previously secured players in advance, including Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda, who join next summer.
Financially, the clubs interested in Semenyo are reportedly offering similar packages. His decision is expected to focus on his sporting ambitions as he approaches his prime; he turns 26 on January 7.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said, “There’s a lot of talk about him, but my focus is making sure it doesn’t affect his performances. He’s very committed, and I hope we can keep him. But once the transfer window opens, anything can happen.”
Semenyo is likely to pick a club that he feels offers the best chance to compete for major trophies over the long term. Family considerations will also play a role, and a decision is expected soon.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face UEFA rules requiring them to maintain a “positive transfer balance,” or they risk being unable to register new signings for the Champions League. They could also face additional fines of £51.2m if they fail to comply over the next few years.
