Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a significant January transfer move for Bournemouth's in-form forward Antoine Semenyo, with the potential sale of Joshua Zirkzee seen as a key to funding the deal.
United's Striker Overhaul Continues
The Red Devils invested heavily in their attack during the summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko for a combined fee of around £200 million. Despite this spending spree, manager Ruben Amorim is keen to add further firepower, with Antoine Semenyo firmly on the club's radar.
The 25-year-old Ghana international showcased his talent on Monday night, scoring the first of Bournemouth's three equalisers in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford. His contract at the Vitality Stadium contains a £65 million release clause, valid for the first two weeks of January, which has also alerted Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham.
The Zirkzee Dilemma and Midfield Targets
To facilitate a move for Semenyo, United may need to offload players to comply with financial regulations. According to reports, a realistic option is the sale of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna for £36.5 million just 18 months ago.
The 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact, managing just one goal this season from only three Premier League starts. Roma have shown interest in a loan deal with an obligation to buy, which could provide United with the necessary funds.
While strengthening the attack is a priority, the club's hierarchy also plans to revisit their search for a defensive midfielder (a No.6) in January. Previous target Carlos Baleba of Brighton was deemed too expensive at over £100 million. United are now monitoring Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as alternative options.
Amorim's Admiration and the January Countdown
When questioned directly about a potential bid for Semenyo ahead of the Bournemouth match, Amorim was coy but full of praise. The Portuguese coach labelled the Cherries' top scorer a 'special' talent and admitted he really liked the player, though he stopped short of confirming any concrete interest.
The strategic decision for United revolves around timing. Semenyo's release clause is set to drop to £50 million at the end of the season. However, the club may be willing to 'fast-track the transfer six months early' and pay the current £65 million premium to secure his services immediately.
With Semenyo's contract running until June 2030, Bournemouth holds a strong negotiating position. The coming weeks will be crucial as Manchester United decide whether to trigger the clause and which squad members, potentially starting with Zirkzee, will be sacrificed to balance the books.
