Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has issued an update on Antoine Semenyo amid ongoing transfer speculation linking the forward with Liverpool and Manchester City
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola insists he anticipates Antoine Semenyo will remain part of his squad for their upcoming fixture, despite persistent speculation linking the striker with a move during the January transfer window. Liverpool have previously been heavily linked with signing Semenyo, but face competition for his signature.
Manchester City are widely regarded as the leading contenders to secure Semenyo’s signature, with the Ghana international possessing a £65million release clause in his contract, which stays active for the opening days of the January transfer window.
Numerous other clubs have been touted as potential suitors for Semenyo, with Manchester United and Chelsea also being mentioned as possible destinations.
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Man City continue to be viewed as the front-runners to land Semenyo, who featured for Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The forward impressed for the Cherries during a 2-2 stalemate away at Chelsea, completing the entire 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Bournemouth’s following fixture takes place on January 3 (Saturday), which falls after the transfer window reopens, and there have been suggestions that Semenyo could move to the Etihad Stadium early in the New Year.
Nevertheless, Iraola maintains that he expects Semenyo to be available for their opening match of 2026 against Arsenal on January 3, regardless of the latest rumours.
“It’s not his last game here with us,” Iraola told Sky Sports. “I cannot say a hundred per cent but I think he will play (vs Arsenal).
“He has to recover, we’ve played two difficult games in three days. We have Arsenal at home, we get ready for another one, a demanding game against the leaders.
“Definitely he’s going to be an important player for us.”
Semenyo has scored eight goals for Bournemouth so far this campaign, with all his strikes coming in the Premier League.
Whether the 25-year-old will feature in the Cherries squad against Arsenal at the weekend remains uncertain, with the potential for an early transfer in January still possible.
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