Antoine Semenyo is becoming a household name outside of Bournemouth. The 25-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm, and when even Ruben Amorim calls him a "special player", it's worth listening - even if the Portuguese is trying to cool down the rumors.
With a buyout clause of around £65m due to be activated in early January, Semenyo is set to become one of the hottest names of the winter. The question is no longer whether he will move on – but where.
And yes: Manchester United is definitely in the picture.
Why is Semenyo so attractive?
Semenyo is a rare combination of raw physicality, pace and end product. He is extremely difficult to defend against in the transition game, and it is no coincidence that only Erling Haaland has more clear-cut finishes since the start of last season.
What sets Semenyo apart from many other wingers are two things:
First: the two-footedness. Defenders don't get any free hints about what's coming. He can go outside, cut inside – and finish equally comfortably with either foot. Second: the directness. There's little fuss, few unnecessary touches. When Semenyo gets the ball, something happens.
The fact that he also scored against United at Old Trafford recently does not diminish the interest.
Not flawless – but malleable
Semenyo is not a finished product. When opponents succeed in taking the pace out of him, he can get frustrated. He gets knocked down more often, doubled up – and sometimes he loses his head a little. There are also periods when the final product disappears, as we saw earlier this fall.
But this is also typical for players who carry much of the offensive responsibility alone. In a better team, with more threats around him, he will get more space – and fewer double-marks.
The parallel to Sadio Mané before the Liverpool transfer is not entirely out of the blue.
Where does he fit into Amorim's United?
The most interesting thing is the flexibility . Semenyo can be used high up the pitch, but also wide – and in Amorim's system it is not inconceivable that he could play an offensive wingback role on the left.
It may sound daring, but it gives United something they lack today:
– speed in width
– threat in the back
– and a player who actually wins transfers
Along with players like Bruno Fernandes, Amad, Cunha and possibly Mbeumo, Semenyo could become part of a United team that is far more dangerous when the match becomes chaotic – something Amorim has historically been comfortable with.
Conclusion: does it make sense?
Yes – it definitely makes sense from a sporting perspective.
Yes – the price is high.
And yes – the risk is there.
But United are at a stage where they need to find the right type, not just the right name. Semenyo is not a Galáctico signing. He is a Premier League-ready, physically strong, hungry player who fits a clear game plan.
And perhaps most importantly:
This feels like a transfer United should make – not one they just hope will solve everything.
The question is whether they dare to strike before the rest of the top six knocks on the door.
