Chelsea have joined the list of Premier League clubs to express interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
Currently the most sorts after talent in the Premier League, Semenyo is being chased by Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of the opening of the January transfer window and is expected to leave in a transfer worth £65 million.
Manchester United are hoping to add the 25-year-old to their ranks in a bid to solve their issues on the left flank, while Manchester City and Liverpool are also in the race.
Alexander Isak’s injury against Tottenham Hotspur means Liverpool are in the transfer market for a new attacker.
Antoine Semenyo celebrates after he scores a goal . (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Latest report from The Athletic claim Chelsea have join the queue. Report claim the Blues have been in touch to make an initial enquiry and could now “accelerate” their plans this winter.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea had initially been willing to wait until the summer to sign a new forward but Semenyo’s availability this winter – due to a release clause that can be activated – appears to have changed the club’s transfer plans.
Semenyo has eight goals and three assists for Bournemouth so far this season in 16 Premier League outings.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been quizzed on Semenyo’s future and says he wants him to stay but knows it may be difficult. He told reporters: “Antoine Semenyo right now is with us. He has trained today with us, very well. I understand that there is a lot of noise around Antoine. But my concern is that it doesn’t affect him, his performances and we are seeing that it is not affecting his performances. He is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him there. There are situations that we cannot control, but right now, Antoine is our player and he’s going to continue playing for us. If you ask me, I don’t want to lose him, definitely don’t want to lose him. But like we always say, every time the market opens, you never know what’s going to happen.”
