Antoine Semenyo clause structure emerges as United and City push, Chelsea enquire

Antoine Semenyo is fast becoming the headline target in England. A release-clause structure under discussion points to an initial £20m paid within this financial year, with a total close to £60m and a further £5m in add-ons. Manchester United and Manchester City are pressing hard from the player’s side, while Chelsea have made an enquiry. From what I’m hearing and seeing in the market, momentum is trending toward a Premier League power landing him soon. As a former pro who tracks wide forwards closely, I see a plug-and-play fit for a high-press, direct-transition system.

The situation has moved quickly across recruitment circles in England. The numbers being worked on indicate:

• First instalment close to £20m accounted for this financial year, aligning with PSR and amortisation planning.
• Total package around £60m, with a potential £5m in add-ons tied to performances and club objectives.
• Manchester United and Manchester City sounding out the player’s camp. Chelsea have placed an enquiry to stay in the lane.

Semenyo is under contract at AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League and has impressed under a high-intensity scheme, attracting elite-level suitors.

🚨 BREAKING: The first instalment in Antoine Semenyo's release clause is close to only £20M, which will be paid this financial year, with total amount being around £60M with £5M in add-ons. United and City pushing from player's side. Chelsea enquired. [@SullyTalkz]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

From a football perspective, this is the profile move top English sides make to add immediate intensity and versatility. Semenyo thrives in a high press, attacks the inside channel from the right, and carries well in broken-field moments. For Manchester United, he directly addresses two shortcomings I’ve seen repeatedly this season: lack of consistent ball-carrying threat on the right and insufficient first-line pressure after turnovers. If United do adjust their shape to accommodate him, expect a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with Semenyo high and wide to pin full backs, freeing the 9 to work central lanes. His defensive work rate would raise the floor of their pressing game.

For Manchester City, the fit is about rotation quality and tactical variability. He would stretch back lines when they need directness and give them a pressing winger who can attack depth, complementing their possession phases. Minutes would be competitive, but the development curve under that coaching staff can be steep.

Chelsea’s interest aligns with their desire for physically robust, transition-savvy attackers. Semenyo’s north-south running and willingness to attack second phases would give their front line more bite, especially in games that tilt chaotic. Financially, the proposed structure is smart for buyers managing PSR, with a first instalment this financial year easing books and amortised cost spreading over term.

Reaction

Fan chatter reflects three clear camps. First, the excitement crowd: plenty of United voices calling Semenyo the right-sided runner they’ve been crying out for, some even saying the club should change the system to maximise his chaos and pressing. I get that energy. It tracks with how coaches view him.

Second, the impatience group: a handful of replies want clarity on who is actually leading the race, asking for less noise and more outcome. A few even name-check well-known reporters, arguing that silence means the deal is serious but delicate. That’s the classic pre-agreement anxiety phase among supporters.

Third, the finance hawks: one Chelsea-leaning comment insists they will simply pay in full, framing United’s structured payments as weakness. Others joke the fees are heating like a pump-and-dump. There’s also side-talk about alternative targets and academy products, which usually bubbles up when a bidding war looms. Net sentiment tilts positive for United, cautious around City’s late-window power, and curious about Chelsea’s willingness to go one-shot lump sum.

Social reactions

Wow, that’s fantastic news – Semenyo to United could be brilliant!

Yana (@YanaHeat)

Bruh, team fees heating up like a pump and dump 🚀💸

NoToKYC.COM (@NoToKYC)

Chelsea will just pay the full fee once, no negotiations because they are serious and they go for what they want and we will blame them. But who wants the player more , its Manchester united who are only thinking about installments and all that, which put them out of competition

ndodemnyama (@Thulani73373119)

Prediction

My read as a former player who has seen these dances up close: United push this over the line if they align early on squad role and the clause structure. The first-instalment timing before the financial-year cut is not a throwaway detail. It suits United’s planning and keeps them aggressive while staying within PSR guardrails.

City will hover. If they sense value, they can pivot fast, but minutes are the question. Semenyo’s camp will consider pathway and role. At United, he likely starts or plays starter minutes on the right. At City, he would rotate behind established names and be a tactical missile for specific match states.

Chelsea are the wild card. If they feel the market slipping, they could go direct and close quickly, especially if their recruitment model wants a physically dominant wide runner. But if the player’s side prioritises consistent starts and a tailor-made role, United have the edge.

Timeline: expect acceleration as accounting windows approach. If a green light comes from the player’s side, this can move from enquiry to agreement in days, not weeks.

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Conclusion

I love this chase for one reason: fit. Semenyo’s game - aggressive carry, repeat sprints, counter-press trigger - answers a real need at the top end of the league. He is not a luxury piece. He is a system driver. United, who have lacked a reliable right-sided menace with end product and work rate, look ready to set the table for him and tilt their shape accordingly. City make sense if the player embraces a rotational apprenticeship with elite coaching. Chelsea can change the math with decisive cash, but role clarity will decide it.

Strip away the noise and the structure tells you everything. A first instalment around £20m this financial year, total close to £60m plus £5m in add-ons, is the kind of architecture clubs use when they mean business. If I had to call it today, I’d say United are marginal leaders from the player’s side, City are lurking, Chelsea are testing the water. Semenyo will raise the pressing level and give immediate thrust to whoever seals it.