Bournemouth are preparing for a major attacking reshuffle, with Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson emerging as a primary target to replace the departing Antoine Semenyo.
City Accelerate Move for Cherries Star
Manchester City are now in advanced talks to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in a deal worth £65 million. The Premier League champions are leading the race to trigger the release clause inserted into the Ghana international's contract when he signed an extension last summer. The 25-year-old has attracted attention from several clubs after an impressive spell in the top flight, but City are the only side to have pushed ahead with a formal move at this stage.
Semenyo's former club, Bristol City, are set for a significant windfall from the transfer. They are due 20% of any profit Bournemouth make on the player they sold to the Cherries for £10 million in 2023.
Johnson Tipped as Direct Replacement
In response to Semenyo's imminent exit, Bournemouth's recruitment team have identified Tottenham's Brennan Johnson as a potential successor. Crystal Palace are also known admirers of the Welsh forward, setting up a potential battle for his signature.
Tottenham's stance is understood to be flexible. The club is open to doing business for the player they signed from Nottingham Forest for £47.5 million just over two years ago. It remains unclear whether Spurs would prefer a permanent sale or a loan deal for the 24-year-old.
Struggles for Minutes Under Frank
Johnson's potential availability stems from his reduced role this season under head coach Thomas Frank. The forward has started only one of Tottenham's last seven matches, finding himself largely on the periphery since Frank succeeded Ange Postecoglou in June.
This represents a stark contrast to last campaign, where Johnson was the club's leading goalscorer and netted the winner in the Europa League final, securing Spurs' first major trophy since 2008. Despite his limited involvement, Frank publicly insists Johnson remains in his plans.
After Sunday's 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, where Johnson was a late 85th-minute substitute, the Danish manager said: "I think Brennan is very important for us. Maybe he didn't get many minutes, but unfortunately, we can only play 11 players. We spoke about it before with Mo [Kudus], who has come in and put his stamp on that right-winger position. Then, [on] the left, we tried different solutions. I think Brennan is an important player for us."
The coming weeks will determine whether Johnson's future lies in continuing to fight for his place in North London or in seeking a fresh start, potentially on the south coast at Bournemouth.
