Manchester United are keeping their options open ahead of the January transfer window and could be prepared to sell Joshua Zirkzee in order to generate the funds needed for Antoine Semenyo.
The Red Devils prioritised overhauling their misfiring strike force in the summer, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko arriving through the doors at Old Trafford for a combined fee of around £200million.
Ruben Amorim had also been keen for United to bring in a high-quality central midfielder to fit his 3-4-2-1 system – and Carlos Baleba was believed to be at the top of the club’s wishlist.
But Brighton made it clear that United would need to stump up an eye-watering fee in excess of £100m for Baleba, leaving their Premier League rivals with little option but to drop their pursuit at the time.
It’s understood United’s hierarchy will turn their attentions back to signing a No.6 next month, though, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton also known to be targets.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Another player in red-hot form and firmly on United’s radar is Semenyo, who continues to go from strength to strength for Bournemouth.
The revelation that Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract at the Vitality Stadium, valid for the first two weeks of January, has also alerted the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham to a potential deal.
On Monday night, the 25-year-old Ghana international gave United a reminder of what he could bring to their attack with the first of Bournemouth’s three equalisers a pulsating 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
According to Daily Mail Sport, while Semenyo’s buyout clause will drop to £50m at the end of the season, United may be willing to take the hit and ‘fast-track the transfer six months early’.
However, in order to finance a proposed move for Semenyo, United may first need to offload a peripheral squad member, a player that Amorim deems surplus to requirements.
The report claims the idea of selling Zirkzee is a realistic ‘option’ at the Theatre of Dreams. Roma have been exploring the possibility of a loan deal this winter and United could include an obligation to buy as part of any package for the Dutchman.
Zirkzee has fallen some way short of expectations in English football having joined United from Bologna for a fee of £36.5m just 18 months ago.
This season, the 24-year-old Netherlands international has made just three starts in the Premier League, managing only one goal.
Facing the media ahead of United’s clash with Bournemouth, Amorim was keen to distance himself from speculation of a potential bid for Semenyo in January.
The Portuguese made no secret of his admiration for Bournemouth’s top scorer, though, labelling the forward a ‘special’ talent.
Asked if he would like to have a player like Semenyo in his team, the United head coach replied: ‘No, it’s not the case.
‘I think there is a lot of special players in the league.
‘To summarise them: top manager, top team, I really like the team, and a top player, I think he’s a special player.’
Semenyo’s current contract with the Cherries runs through to June 2030.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
