Chelsea open Antoine Semenyo talks after January U-turn

Chelsea are the latest club to have joined the race for Bournemouth superstar Antoine Semenyo.

The Ghana international is the Premier League’s most sought-after commodity heading into the January transfer window. Semenyo has a €74 million release clause that can be triggered in the first 10 days of the market.

There is a clear expectation that the 25-year-old will leave Bournemouth next month, and a decision on his next club is expected to be imminent. Man Utd and Man City are believed to be the frontrunners for his signature.

Both Manchester clubs have been in constant contact with Semenyo’s camp in recent days, thus overtaking Liverpool. The reigning Premier League champions made an enquiry in November but have yet to follow up on it.

Tottenham have left the race entirely as they feel Semenyo has other priorities. Arsenal, meanwhile, maintain their long-standing interest in Semenyo, but it is believed that they would only be willing to make a move in the summer after offloading a player.

Chelsea enter Semenyo race

Now, talkSPORT reporters Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook report that Chelsea are the latest club to have enquired about Semenyo’s situation despite previously insisting that they would not enter the race for the winger.

However, there appears to have been a significant U-turn. Of course, that doesn’t automatically mean that Chelsea will actually look to sign Semenyo next month.

“Chelsea have always downplayed entering the race for Antoine Semenyo,” Jacobs writes, “but [I’m] told they have actually considered an approach in the last few days. An initial enquiry has been made to Semenyo’s representatives.”

A move to Stamford Bridge would be hugely interesting, considering the sheer number of options Chelsea already have available. The Blues signed Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens for the left flank in the summer, while they have numerous players who can play out on the right.

It would be intriguing to see where Semenyo would slot in. As things stand, though, Manchester is still his most likely destination.

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