In a dramatic twist to the January transfer window, Arsenal have emerged as a potential late contender to sign Bournemouth's in-demand forward, Antoine Semenyo, a move that would deal a significant blow to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Gunners Lurk as Rivals Jostle for Signature
The future of Antoine Semenyo is one of the most hotly debated topics in football, with a £65 million release clause set to become active for a limited period when the market reopens. While Liverpool and Manchester City have been widely touted as the leading suitors, a fresh insight suggests the North London club cannot be discounted.
Former Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness has revealed that, based on his sources, Arsenal are "not out of the question" in the race for the Cherries star. He speculated that a move could be motivated as a "blocking" tactic to prevent rival clubs from strengthening, particularly if the Gunners part ways with forward Gabriel Jesus.
Conflicting Reports Leave Transfer Wide Open
The situation remains fluid with conflicting reports over the player's preference. Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol recently stated that Semenyo would accept a move to Liverpool should they formalise their interest, describing Anfield as "too good a move to turn down."
However, The Athletic has since countered that the Ghana international actually favours a switch to reigning champions Manchester City. This has blown the transfer saga wide open, with both clubs believed to be confident of securing his signature.
Potential Hijack Could Redden Rival Faces
Arsenal's potential late swoop would represent a major coup and a source of significant frustration for both Liverpool and City. The Gunners, who currently lead the Premier League table by a slender two-point margin, could offer Semenyo an immediate chance at title glory.
Liverpool view the 24-year-old as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, while City are perennially in the market for top attacking talent. For either club to miss out to a direct league competitor, after being so heavily linked, would be a notable setback. Clubs will have less than two weeks to trigger the £65 million clause once the January window opens, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, setting the stage for a frantic start to 2025.
