Fabrizio Romano confirms Premier League duo approach Antoine Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo has found himself at the top of Manchester United’s January shortlist, however they have a fight on their hands if they want to get the deal over the line.

United’s interest began in the summer, when the club’s attacking restructure was taking place, however the Bournemouth star ultimately chose to stay put.

Semenyo was looked to as a back-up option for Bryan Mbeumo as his transfer talks took over a month to get an agreement with Brentford.

However in the meantime, the winger agreed a long-term contract with The Cherries, which also saw a release clause take shape.

The 25-year-old is availabe for £65 million this January, but only until the tenth, with the cut-off put in place to allow Bournemouth to find a replacement should he leave.

As such, top clubs were alerted to the opportunity, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the transfer battle is firmly between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Romano commented on the situation, explaining: “Man United against Manchester City. This is the situation of today, Manchester battle.”

He continued: “Because also today, contacts took place between Semenyo’s camp, Man United and Man City.

“The two clubs are pushing, presenting their projects, presenting their technical view, presenting their financial opportunities for the player.

“So Man United and Man City are battling for Antoine Semenyo.”

Romano went on to discuss Liverpool’s role in the transfer race, reporting that Liverpool made a call to Bournemouth in November to understand the release clause but are not currently in the race.

With Manchester City being United’s main opponents in the race, they are looking to get the move done as soon as possible, with CentreDevils revealing earlier a plan is in place to affordably pay his release clause.

It’s understood that the aim is to pay over multiple years in instalments, much like agreed with Matheus Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause this summer.