Antoine Semenyo’s early transfer preference revealed as Chelsea enter race for Bournemouth forward | OneFootball

The early transfer preference of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been detailed amid Chelsea registering interest in the Ghanaian international.

The 25-year-old has rapidly become one of the most talked-about attacking players ahead of the January transfer window, with a clearly defined release clause shaping the behaviour of interested clubs.

Manchester City and Manchester United have been consistently positioned as the primary contenders in recent weeks, with both sides tracking developments closely as Bournemouth brace themselves for the possibility of a mid-season departure.

From City’s standpoint, Semenyo has emerged as a particularly appealing profile with Pep Guardiola understood to be keen on introducing a wide forward capable of delivering regular goal output – something the club believe could complement existing options.

And the release clause has further sharpened Manchester City’s focus, providing a rare opportunity to bypass prolonged negotiations with Bournemouth. Manchester United, meanwhile, have been viewed as City’s most direct competition throughout the early process.

Now, it has been reported on Tuesday afternoon by MailSport’s Jack Gaughan and Kieran Gill that Chelsea had launched a shock bid to sign Antoine Semenyo – available for £65 million in the upcoming January transfer window.

It is claimed that the West London club were attempting to ‘blow competition out of the water’ with an audacious swoop on Monday evening after the Bournemouth star spent a day off weighing up his options amid strong interest from both United and City.

A later report from MailSport went on to reveal that until Chelsea entered the race late on Monday night, it had looked like being a two-horse race for Semenyo between Manchester United and Manchester City – with the player leaning slightly towards the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea’s late intervention has added a significant new layer of intrigue to the situation, particularly given their willingness to move aggressively in the market.

However, the suggestion that Semenyo had been edging towards City prior to their approach may offer encouragement to those inside the Etihad, who are confident in the long-term sporting appeal of Guardiola’s ongoing project.

With the release clause active for the first 10 days of the upcoming market, a swift resolution is increasingly likely. Should Chelsea succeed in unsettling the player’s thinking, the balance of the race could yet shift again.

For now, City appear well positioned, but with United and Chelsea applying pressure, Semenyo’s final decision may come down to assurances over role, tactical fit, and immediate ambition in the second half of the season.