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Arsenal stance on Antoine Semenyo revealed after £65m release clause comes to light

Originally posted on HITC | By Jamie Brown | Last updated Nov 18, 2025 1:26 PM ET

Arsenal Insider understands that the club are well aware of Antoine Semenyo’s £65m release clause at Bournemouth and are keeping an eye on his status.

Andrea Berta is aiming to bring in another forward in 2026, and the Ghanaian international is one of several options under consideration.

The Italian director has already made a strong start at the Emirates, with the summer signings of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi all settling in well.

The Gunners still have areas they want to strengthen, with a left-sided forward among their priorities going forward.

Antoine Semenyo: Sources state January move to Arsenal is unlikely

However, Arsenal Insider’s transfer expert, Graeme Bailey, has been told that Arsenal are unlikely to move for Antoine Semenyo in January, at this stage.

The club plans to keep a close eye on him over the coming months, but with Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke and Eze all still part of the squad, there isn’t much urgency to make a move right now.

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There’s long-term interest in bringing in another top left-sided winger. So while nothing seems imminent now, it’s not completely off the table down the line.

Bailey said: “Arsenal sources do not dismiss themselves out of hand, he is one they are keeping tabs on and are aware of his situation.”

The transfer insider also made it clear that the £65m release clause is not something they’ll be looking to pay in January: “They know it will take that in January – but no, unlikely – although he can play left, so he is an option.”

Semenyo also has plenty of admirers outside of North London. Thierry Henry recently spoke highly of him on CBS Sports after Bournemouth took down Manchester United at Old Trafford back in December 2023.

Antoine Semenyo was an Arsenal fan growing up

Semenyo has spoken before about his ties to the club. Like Eze, he grew up as a fan but wasn’t picked up by the club when he was younger.

“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,” Semenyo told The Athletic back in 2024.

During that interview, he also talked about being turned away by several London clubs between ages 12 and 16.

“I went on trial to Arsenal, Fulham, Millwall, maybe four times, and Charlton. But it was always the same thing. Come back in the next couple of months, see how you do and every time I went, it just never went well,” he told Sky Sports.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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