Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has strongly suggested that star forward Antoine Semenyo will be available for this weekend's Premier League fixture against Arsenal, despite intense speculation linking the Ghanaian with a mega-money move to Manchester City.
City Ready to Trigger £65 Million Clause
The transfer saga centres on a £65 million release clause in Semenyo's contract, which the reigning champions are seriously considering activating when the January window opens. Talks between the player's representatives and City officials have reportedly been ongoing, with a potential five-year deal on the table for the 25-year-old.
Despite the swirling rumours, Semenyo has remained professional, continuing his duties with the Cherries. He featured in the team's recent match against Chelsea, and his manager's latest comments indicate he is firmly in the plans for the upcoming crucial encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
Iraola's Determined Stance on Semenyo Future
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Spanish coach made his position clear. "I think Antoine is performing very well. I expect him to be available also for the next game with us. And I hope he continues playing the same way," Iraola stated.
He acknowledged the distracting noise surrounding his player but focused on performance. "There is a lot of noise around him but my worry as coach is if he can keep the level of performance that he is having." This echoes his sentiments from earlier in the week, where he explicitly said he did not want to lose the forward, labelling him a "massive player for the club" who contributes goals, assists, and vital energy.
Bournemouth's Replacement Dilemma
Iraola admitted that the club is exploring options in case Semenyo's departure becomes inevitable, but he tempered expectations for a direct replacement. "The club is working on things in case he leaves, but obviously it's impossible to replace someone like him. It's impossible, especially in the January market when nobody wants to lose good players," he cautioned.
Semenyo's potential exit would leave a significant void. Since joining from Bristol City in 2023, he has made 107 appearances for Bournemouth. After a breakout season last year with 13 Premier League goals, he is already on track to surpass that tally, having netted nine times in the current campaign.
Should the move to the Etihad Stadium materialise, Bournemouth have already been linked with several attacking targets, including Tottenham's Brennan Johnson and Leicester City's Abdul Fatawu, as they look to plan for a future without their prolific forward.
