Manchester City hold talks with Antoine Semenyo

The January transfer window is fast approaching, and the noise around Old Trafford is already growing louder by the day.

Manchester United’s recruitment plans are under scrutiny as Ruben Amorim looks to fine-tune his squad midway through a demanding campaign.

With attacking depth set to be tested over the coming weeks, movement in the forward areas is becoming increasingly important.

Rivals are also circling, fully aware that United’s interest often accelerates negotiations and inflates prices.
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A familiar enemy has now stepped directly into United’s sights.

Manchester City have entered the race for a forward admired by Ruben Amorim, holding face-to-face talks with Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January window, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook via X.

The Bournemouth attacker has been on United’s radar for some time, but City are now looking to ramp up their pursuit as competition intensifies.

Antoine Semenyo is understood to be attracting interest from at least four Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also described as “very keen” on the 25-year-old.

Tottenham, however, are believed to be outsiders at this stage, while City’s direct approach signals how serious they are about landing one of the league’s most explosive wide forwards.

Under contract with Bournemouth until June 2030, Semenyo is protected by a £65 million release clause, which becomes active when the January window opens.

Crook revealed on X that the battle for his signature is “heating up” with just two weeks remaining before clubs are officially allowed to strike deals.

From a United perspective, the interest is far from casual.

Amorim is said to be a huge admirer of Semenyo and watched him first-hand on Monday night, when Bournemouth drew 4-4 with United in a chaotic Premier League encounter.

That performance only reinforced the winger’s credentials, as his pace, power and direct running caused consistent problems for United’s back line.

Antoine Semenyo has enjoyed an outstanding individual season.

He has scored seven league goals and provided three assists in 15 appearances, with nine of those goal contributions coming in the opening seven matches of the campaign.

While his output dipped during a two-month goalless spell, his overall influence has remained evident, even as Bournemouth failed to win any of their last seven league games under Andoni Iraola.

For United, a move would fit neatly into their recent transfer strategy.

The club have already invested heavily in attacking options over the past six months, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to refresh the frontline.

However, depth could soon be tested further, with Mbeumo set to miss close to a month after joining Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

City’s involvement now raises the stakes significantly.

If Pep Guardiola’s side decide to activate the release clause, United may be forced into a swift and decisive move or risk losing another target to their local rivals.

As January edges closer, this emerging tug-of-war could become one of the window’s defining Premier League battles.