Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is strongly linked with a move away in January.
It has been reported that the Cherries are open to selling their in-form attacker in the upcoming transfer window.
There was interest in the player in the summer as well, with suggestions that Semenyo rejected offers from both Manchester United and Tottenham, and signed a new contract instead.
The new contract had a mystery release clause in it, which has now been revealed to be £65m, allowing the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal to pay the fee and sign him.
As the moment, Liverpool are said to be leading the race to sign Semenyo.
Antoine Semenyo would prefer Liverpool over Arsenal
Despite the player being a self-admitted boyhood Arsenal fan, reports suggest that Semenyo prefers a move to Liverpool.
According to a report from Football Paparazzi, the reason behind Semenyo’s preference is not sentimental but rather his desire to make an instant impact as a guaranteed starter, which is more possible at Liverpool than Arsenal.
As per the outlet’s source: “For a player like Antoine, performing at the very top of his game, the choice won’t be sentimental. It’ll be about where he becomes a guaranteed starter – immediately. Right now, that club is Liverpool.”
With Mohamed Salah set to miss several weeks due to AFCON, Semenyo would have a clear opportunity to slot directly into the attack.
The presence of Richard Hughes, who worked with Semenyo at Bournemouth and recently joined Liverpool, is also considered a key factor in the player’s decision-making process.
What Antoine Semenyo has previously said about playing for Arsenal?
While the current preference leans toward Liverpool, Semenyo has never hidden his affection for Arsenal.
The versatile attacker confessed last year that he is a boyhood Arsenal fan during an interview with The Athletic, hinting at his desire to play for a top club like themselves in the future.
He said: “I am an Arsenal fan. I don’t conflict the two with my job.
“It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well. In order for that to happen, I need to prove it.
“Any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) – that’s the aim. I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time.
“It’s going to take goals. It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality.”
These remarks suggest that a move to Arsenal would appeal to him emotionally, but his professional priorities appear to favour Liverpool at this moment.
Arsenal need Semenyo more than any player – to bring out the best of Nwaneri as an attacking midfielder and Gyokeres. Arteta’s excessive reliance on only left footed players for wide right is increasingly destroying Arsenal. Saka started 10 games against Man City on the right and we just managed to win once – emphasising how poor we perform on big stage with such method! The day we started right footed Gabriel Jesus on the right of attack against them we won one nil while we pummelled them 5 -1 last season with right footed Martinelli on the right. In all these Arteta doesn’t care.. Semenyo is desperately needed at Arsenal and the management should look towards Iraola as a Summer replacement if Arteta fails to win any of Premiership or Champions league title this season.
The first part of your analysis is faultless. Where you went off the rail is suggesting Arsenal should get rid of Arteta for Iraola. Just so you know, Arsenal just tabled a bounty of a new deal for Arteta and that deal comes after Saka signs his new bumper deal.
Semenyo will make an excellent addition to Arsenal, especially as we march towards sealing a Premier League title and Champions League success this season. I have always loved the player – his skills, his talent, his slick football, especially the way he goes by defenders.