Arsenal and two other Premier League giants have been given major hope of signing Antonio Semenyo from Bournemouth.
Semenyo has developed into one of the most exciting players in the Premier League since his £10m move from Bristol City in 2023.
The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in the English top-flight last season and is on course to surpass that figure this term, with six to his name from 11 games.
A number of top clubs were placed on high alert when it emerged that Semenyo has a £65m release clause which can be activated during the January transfer window.
Tottenham have expressed interest in a January deal but The Sun say Semenyo is ‘hesitant’ to join Thomas Frank’s side, just as he was last summer.
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But a move away from Bournemouth still looks likely, either next month or in the summer, and it is claimed Semenyo would be ‘more tempted’ by offers from Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have become an increasingly appealing destination for players – the Gunners are currently top of both the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal are yet to show strong interest in Semenyo but could consider a move to bolster Arteta’s squad ahead of a vitally important second-half to the season.
The Gunners would no doubt relish the opportunity to beat north London rivals Tottenham to another transfer, having hijacked their deal for Eberechi Eze last summer.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City are all reportedly ‘monitoring’ Semenyo’s situation at Bournemouth ahead of possible moves in January.
Semenyo has long been earmarked as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and the Egyptian’s future at Anfield is far from clear following his explosive interview.
Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s squad for the midweek Champions League game after accusing the club of ‘throwing him under the bus’ and revealing his relationship with Arne Slot had broken down.
While Semenyo is reportedly interested in joining the reigning Premier League champions, he has previously admitted it would be a ‘dream come true’ to play for Arsenal, the club he supported growing up.
‘I am an Arsenal fan,’ he told The Athletic in an interview in October 2024.
‘I don’t conflict the two with my job. It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well. In order for that to happen I need to prove it.’
Asked if joining Arsenal would be a dream come true, he added: ‘Yeah, any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) — that’s the aim.
‘I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take goals.
‘It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality.’
Semenyo’s current club Bournemouth are 13th in the Premier League ahead of Monday’s trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Semenyo’s national team Ghana were drawn to face Thomas Tuchel’s England at next summer’s World Cup.
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