Man Utd and Liverpool transfer target Antoine Semenyo’s release clause confirmed | Football

Bournemouth will be unable to prevent Antoine Semenyo from leaving in the January transfer window if one of his many suitors activates his release clause.

The Ghana international has been in superb form for the Cherries this season, scoring six goals and registering three assists in 11 Premier League appearances.

Manchester United and Liverpool have been strongly linked with moves for the winger in recent weeks, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have also been credited with interest in the 25-year-old as recently as the summer window.

Bournemouth, who are currently ninth in the Premier League table but only one point off a Champions League qualifying spot, are desperate to keep their star man but could well be fighting a losing battle.

According to The Athletic, Semenyo’s contract, which he signed in the summer, contains a £65million release clause which becomes active in January.

The window of opportunity to sign the player is only open for a specific period early in the window, however, in order to give Bournemouth an opportunity to secure a suitable replacement.

Bournemouth do face a difficult decision given the release clause changes again come the summer and Semenyo will be available for an even lower fee.

The Cherries are no strangers to coping with the departures of key players with their progress this term rendered all the more remarkable having lost the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, central defender Illia Zabarnyi and winger Dango Ouattara in the summer.

For his part, Semenyo has not been actively pushing for a move away from the Vitality Stadium.

‘Antoine Semenyo has not asked to leave Bournemouth,’ Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam said on X last week. ‘He’s fully focused on performing for the team.’

While renewed interest from some of English football’s biggest hitters would likely test Semenyo’s loyalty, a January departure would represent a major U-turn after he underlined his commitment to the club back in July.

‘If you go somewhere, you want to feel wanted, and I didn’t feel that,’ Semenyo told Sky Sports.

‘This is my safe place. I felt wanted. It feels great. I want to be playing, that’s the most important thing for me.

‘We’ve got a good group here and we’re wanting to achieve top things this year. So this is the best place to be right now.’

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