Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign £70million-rated Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth. The Red Devils are one of a number of clubs who have expressed an interest in the forward.
United are widely expected to overhaul Ruben Amorim’s squad during the summer transfer window. New forwards are likely to be a priority, with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and the now-injured Joshua Zirkzee struggling for goals. None of Amorim’s attackers have looked comfortable in his favourited 3-4-2-1 system.
According to Sky Sports, United could attempt to solve those issues by signing Semenyo in the summer. The Red Devils are said to be ahead of the competition to sign the 25-year-old.
Bournemouth will not give up Semenyo without a fight and are understood to value him at around £70m. However, an eventual deal could reportedly include a lower fixed fee in a similar move that saw Dominic Solanke leave the Cherries for Tottenham in a £65m swoop last summer.
Semenyo has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 36 games across all competitions this season. He has become a vital part of Andoni Iraola’s system. The former Bristol City star most often operates in a wide role, but he can also play through the middle.
Amorim is reported to be a big fan of Semenyo and has already plotted how the player would fit into his formation. However, he is not the only boss interested in landing the Ghana international when the transfer window opens.
Spurs and Liverpool are reportedly among the other competitors to lure Semenyo from the south coast, where he moved from Bristol City in January 2023. Semenyo has started all 31 of Bournemouth’s games for which he has been available this season.
United must improve their squad during the off-season to stand a chance of enjoying a better season next time around. Amorim’s side are currently 13th in the Premier League and they are expected to shift plenty of deadwood in the summer.
Significant funds will need to be raised at Old Trafford before any major signings can be made, though. The Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) permit clubs to lose no more than £105m over a given three-year period, and United are close to that threshold.
PSR has been treated with genuine concern by minority owners INEOS, who have enacted a series of cost-cutting measures over the past year.
Meanwhile, United are into the Europa League semi-finals after a thrilling 7-6 aggregate victory over Lyon. Three extra-time goals at Old Trafford, including Harry Maguire’s 121st-minute winner, sealed one of the most memorable victories in United’s recent history.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk