Fresh details of Manchester United’s long-held interest in Antoine Semenyo have emerged, with Ruben Amorim said to have dined with the forward before he went on to hitch Manchester City.
The Red Devils were alerted to a possible deal for Semenyo on the back of the attacker’s outstanding campaign with Bournemouth last term, during which he racked up 11 goals and five assists within the Premier League.
Semenyo would go on to sign a brand new five-year contract with the Cherries later in the summertime, tying him to the club until 2030, however the player’s excellent begin to the present season did little to quieten speculation of a big-money move.
Heading into last month’s transfer window, the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were all credited with a robust interest, in addition to long-term admirers United.
A release clause in Semenyo’s contract meant Bournemouth were powerless to forestall their prized possession from leaving should a possible suitor stump up the required money in the primary two weeks of January.
Semenyo ultimately decided to prioritise a move to the Etihad once the chance arose and Manchester City would go on to shake hands on what represented a club-record sale for Bournemouth.
The Ghana international has since gone on to attain in all but one among his five appearances under Pep Guardiola, including the side’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham last weekend.
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The Athletic have shed recent light on United’s protracted interest in Semenyo of their latest Transfer DealSheet column – and it appears the club’s pursuit was still very much alive right up until the January transfer window.
Last summer, Semenyo was identified as a possible option for one among the 2 No.10 positions in Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 formation – and the Red Devils were prepared to ‘speed up’ their move for the 26-year-old last month.
It’s claimed Amorim and United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, even had dinner with Semenyo in London within the latter stages of last season before opting to show their attentions to Bryan Mbeumo.
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There have been further rounds of discussions with Semenyo and his entourage over the course of the winter, just for the winger to set his sights on United’s local rivals.
The report adds that the choice to pivot away from Semenyo and towards Mbeumo ‘did little to assist United’s cause’ of their efforts to lure such a sought-after player to Old Trafford.
The extent uncertainty surrounding Amorim’s future – and his eventual dismissal – would even have been an element when Semenyo was weighing up his options before signing for City.
Having found the web in a dream City debut against Newcastle, Semenyo said he was ‘fidgeting with a smile on his face’ and excited for what the long run could bring.
‘The entire environment here is ideal. Everyone seems to be confident and wanting to attain the very best,’ Semenyo explained.
‘I’ve just come into that they usually’ve helped me with my confidence they usually’ve made me feel welcome.
‘It’s been quite a bit, definitely been quite a bit, but I’m having fun with it up to now, I’m definitely picking things up in a short time. I’m having fun with it.
‘I’m taking the arrogance from Bournemouth to here. I’m fidgeting with a smile on my face. I’m having fun with every moment.’
Semenyo might be hoping for more of the identical when City and Newcastle meet again for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on the Etihad this evening.
Guardiola’s side, who hold a 2-0 advantage from the primary leg, would face Arsenal on this 12 months’s final should they advance through.
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