Man United firmly in the race to sign Premier League star despite Liverpool talks
Can Manchester United beat Liverpool and Man City to sign Antoine Semenyo
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo remains firmly on Manchester United’s transfer shortlist, despite fierce competition from several Premier League rivals.
That is according to the latest update from Sky Sports reporters Lyall Thomas and Rob Dorsett, who have provided fresh insight into one of January’s most talked-about transfer sagas.
Semenyo has attracted strong interest ahead of the January window, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all monitoring the versatile attacker.
It has also been claimed that Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Semenyo, matching an offer already put forward by Manchester City, who are also said to have terms in place.
Arsenal have also been linked with the Ghana international, although reports indicate the Gunners may need to offload players before making a formal move.
Man United are still in the race for Antoine Semenyo
United’s interest in Semenyo is not new. An approach last summer was rejected, after which the player signed a new contract with Bournemouth.
Despite that setback, United have continued to track his progress and remain internally convinced he fits the attacking profile Amorim wants to add.
The United head coach is targeting a forward who can operate across multiple positions, press aggressively, and offer physical presence in transition, attributes Semenyo has consistently shown in the Premier League.
While Manchester City are currently viewed as leading the race, Sky Sports indicate United remain credible challengers, particularly if circumstances shift late in the window.
The real issue is financial. Semenyo’s £65 million release clause presents United with a clear, if uncomfortable, decision.
Triggering it would remove negotiation but place immediate strain on a transfer budget that is already being carefully managed.
Sky Sports report that committing such a sum in January could significantly restrict United’s ability to strengthen elsewhere in the summer, a concern given the broader rebuild Amorim is overseeing.
United must decide whether short-term attacking reinforcement outweighs the risk of limiting future flexibility.
How Semenyo its into Amorim’s Man United rebuild
This is not a one-signing fix. Amorim inherited a squad still in transition, and January recruitment is expected to be selective rather than transformative.
United are weighing several attacking profiles, and Semenyo is one option among a wider list rather than a singular obsession.
The interest itself signals intent, United want players entering their prime, proven in the Premier League, and capable of immediate adaptation.
Whether they move decisively now or wait until summer will reflect how aggressively the club believes it must act to stabilise results.
United have been here before: a January window offering opportunity, risk and urgency in equal measure.
Move early, and they may secure a player who fits the system and lifts performance levels immediately. Wait, and they preserve financial control but risk losing ground to rivals already prepared to act.