Manchester United are stepping up its interest in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo as the January transfer window approaches.
The Red Devils are actively exploring attacking reinforcements, and Semenyo has emerged as one of the standout names on their shortlist. United’s scouting department has been tracking the 25-year-old since the start of the season, impressed by his pace, power, and consistency in the final third. While a £60-65 million summer move has been floated internally, a winter bid remains on the table if his form continues.
Bournemouth, however, are reluctant to let go of one of its key attacking assets mid-season. The club tied Semenyo down to a new deal until 2030 last July, strengthening their negotiating position and making it clear that only a blockbuster offer would be considered.
Semenyo is also on the radar of several other Premier League sides, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle. Liverpool, in particular, is said to be eyeing him as a possible successor to Mohamed Salah, whose move to Saudi Arabia remains a possibility.
Tottenham made a £50 million bid last summer, which was swiftly rejected. Since then, Semenyo’s market value has climbed, and Bournemouth have become even more determined to keep hold of him. Whether a deal materialises in January will depend on how far clubs are willing to stretch their budgets.
The Release Clause Bombshell: Semenyo’s new deal includes a £65m release clause that activates in the first two weeks of the January 2026 transfer window (opening January 1). It must be triggered by a specific deadline to give Bournemouth time to replace him, and it’s open to any club. The fee reportedly drops further in the summer of 2026.
Bournemouth’s Stance: The Cherries “reluctantly accept” a potential exit but prefer to keep him until summer. They’ve sold key players like Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez for £150m+ this year without derailing their upward trajectory under Andoni Iraola, so they’re preparing contingencies.
