Ruben Amorim 'very fond' of Premier League attacker wanted by Arsenal & Liverpool | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been described as "very fond of" Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo as recruitment plans take a more defined shape.

Semenyo has contributed 13 goals and assists in the Premier League this season, operating on either flank, to help propel the Cherries into the top half of the table and potential European contention.

The 25-year-old scored in Bournemouth's 3-0 win at Old Trafford in December and will line up against the Red Devils once more before the season concludes.

United's interest in Semenyo has been established in recent weeks, rivalling Arsenal and Liverpool both of whom are thought to have been tracking the Ghana international for a while.

The Athletic's David Ornstein made clear Amorim's particular liking of Semenyo during an appearance on American broadcaster NBC Sports.

Semenyo scored at Old Trafford in December / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

But, as had already been established, Bournemouth won't let Semenyo go cheap.

"They would be looking to sell him for a fee in excess of what they got for Dominic Solanke which was £65m. There's no release clause, they would want a club record," Ornstein said.

Transfer interest in both Milos Kerkez, who is wanted by Liverpool, and Dean Huijsen, whose £50m release clause is expected to be triggered – potentially by Real Madrid - could also influence things: "I don't think both [Semenyo] and Kerkez will [be sold] after Huijsen, so it's maybe two of the three."

Semenyo has played in each of English football's top four divisions, as well as non-league, starting out at Bristol City and proving himself during lower-level loans. It was his form for the Robins in the Championship that eventually prompted Bournemouth to pay £10m in January 2023.

United aren't just targeting a striker to make good on Amorim's ambition of challenging for the Premier League title as soon as possible. Semenyo could be a good fit for one of the split 'number ten' roles that are a feature of the coach's 3-4-2-1 system, with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha also identified for a similar purpose. Cunha is slightly older and more experienced, but comes with a £62.5m release clause in his contract and has openly declared his readiness for a bigger move.