Ornstein: How Chelsea could sign winger for even less than £65m release clause | OneFootball

Chelsea are not expected to make a major move in January, and much like last year expect most of the action to be centred around shuffling young players around on loan and maybe selling off a couple of first team players if good bids come in.

“Game changer” has £65m release clause which can still fall further

Antoine Semenyo in action for AFC Bournemouth (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

We’ve seen before that these sporting directors can be very opportunistic though, and if they think there’s a deal to be had they won’t be afraid of going for it. According to the reporting of the most reliable transfer reporter in the game today, there might just be one of those opportunities.

David Ornstein of the Athletic is reporting that Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, one of the most in form players in the Premier League, has a £65m release clause for January. Not only that, he will have an even lower price tag in the summer.

Chelsea spent a lot of money on the likes of Jamie Gittens in the summer, but on the evidence of how he and Semenyo have performed this season, would have been better off spending big on the Ghana international.

The Blues haven’t been linked particularly heavily with Semenyo, but as the piece puts it “Semenyo fits the bill for any side looking for a game-changer up top.”

In other news…

Arsene Wenger had a rule about rotating his team – never change more than four players or risk ruining the chemistry of the side. Enzo Maresca doesn’t follow that rule – but should he?

Romeo Lavia is currently injured, and his struggles as a Chelsea player continue. It was very surprising to hear that sources are saying he was offered as a part exchange to our Premier League rivals in the summer.