Semenyo's release clause is £65 million, revealing the likelihood of Manchester United signing him! Amolin once dined with him

Bournemouth's Anthony Semenyo sits third among Premier League scorers this season, with three assists placing him joint fourth. His brace at Anfield versus Liverpool especially caught the eyes of several Premier League heavyweights. Semenyo has recently been connected with Liverpool, Man City, and Spurs, while Manchester United has also been linked to him since Sheshko got injured.

Semenyo possesses excellent skills and is proficient with both feet. Manchester United holds a strong impression of him, as he scored against the Red Devils both home and away last season. Ruben Amolin also considered Semenyo during the summer transfer window; reportedly, after last season ended, Amolin had dinner with Semenyo in London to get to know his personality. However, United ultimately chose Mbemmo, despite his £71 million price tag being higher than Semenyo’s.

In Manchester United’s 3-4-3 formation, Semenyo’s ideal position would be the right-sided number 10. Of course, he can also play on the left wing, which he has done more frequently this season, and he even has the capability to adapt to wing-back duties. This versatility is something Amolin admires, as he wants his forwards to interchange positions fluidly.

Therefore, some Manchester United fans have fantasized about bringing Semenyo in as a left wing-back. Naturally, this is unlikely to happen because Amolin would not deploy wingers as wing-backs on both sides; that would cause serious defensive problems for the team.

As a young player proven in the Premier League, Semenyo undoubtedly fits Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent recruitment criteria in the transfer market. His willingness to work hard both on and off the ball also meets Amolin’s standards.

Semenyo is also an African player, but Ghana did not qualify for this Africa Cup of Nations. This is one reason behind rumors that Manchester United want to sign him to cover for the absences of Mbemmo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui during the tournament.

However, the Africa Cup only lasts less than a month at most. If United sign Semenyo, managing his playing time alongside Sheshko, Mbemmo, and Cunha in the future will be a major challenge. After all, the 3-4-3 formation offers only three forward spots, meaning at least one player would have to sit on the bench, and having a substitute costing £60-70 million seems extravagant.

According to UK’s Sky Sports, Semenyo’s new five-year contract signed this summer includes a fixed release clause of £60 million plus a £5 million variable clause, totaling £65 million. This clause is only active during a specific period in the January winter window to allow Bournemouth time to find a replacement. However, signing him in January is almost impossible for Manchester United, especially since Amolin’s priority is to recruit a midfielder first.

Manchester United cannot rely on the “Red Devils dream” to help acquire Semenyo, as he is a supporter of Arsenal. Semenyo told “Jingji Net”: “I am an Arsenal fan. My profession and my preferences don’t conflict, and it feels good to compete against Arsenal. I have watched the Gunners since I was a child, and I want to play for a big club, but to do that, I need to prove my abilities.”

In the near future, 25-year-old Semenyo will inevitably join a top Premier League club. But whether that will be the best choice is hard to predict. His style suits Bournemouth’s tactics best; since Iraola took charge, only Liverpool has more fast breaks and shots than the Cherries, and Semenyo excels at using his ambidexterity to launch quick attacks, exploiting defensive confusion to create threats. Data shows no player has scored more counterattack goals than Semenyo this season.

Although it cannot be said that Semenyo would definitely struggle against tight defenses at a big club—his physique and technique give him potential for passing and shooting in crowded penalty areas—he will certainly face greater challenges than at Bournemouth. Semenyo strongly denies that he has requested a winter transfer; he is grateful to the club and, though he will likely leave eventually, he will not cause any transfer disputes. Many believe that joining Liverpool as Salah’s successor would be his ideal move. His beloved Arsenal, however, has shown no interest, as Arteta already has enough wingers.