Man United and Man City hold fresh talks for Antoine Semenyo as £65m clause looms

Manchester United and Manchester City held new direct conversations with Bournemouth over Antoine Semenyo across the weekend, sounding out price, clause mechanics and payment structure. Bournemouth point to a release clause understood to be around £65m, while both clubs are assessing squad fit and minutes. Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s most improved wide forwards over the last 18 months, thriving under Andoni Iraola’s high-press system. The feeling inside the market: this will accelerate quickly once a suitor agrees the clause terms. United see an instant upgrade for the right side and transitional threat. City view him as a multi-role depth piece.

Talks took place over the weekend between club representatives after earlier exploratory contacts in recent windows. Bournemouth indicated they will only negotiate on their terms or point to the release clause. Semenyo is contracted to AFC Bournemouth and has grown into a key starter under Andoni Iraola, with consistent output and pressing value. Both Manchester clubs requested clarity on clause activation timing, add-ons and salary banding, with Bournemouth signaling calm confidence unless the clause is met. The player is open to a top-six step if conditions align, but the Cherries are protected by contract and performance leverage.

🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United and Man City have held direct talks again this weekend with Bournemouth to understand the situation of Antione Semenyo. [@FabrizioRomano YT]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

This potential move has clear sporting logic for both Manchester clubs, but the upside feels bigger for Manchester United. United’s right flank has lacked a consistent two-way profile. Semenyo brings direct running, ball-carrying through contact, and honest defensive work. Under Iraola he became a top-tier transition outlet - frequent progressive carries, high recovery sprints, and a knack for second-phase goals. He would instantly raise United’s floor in games that tilt chaotic, which is where they often decide results. He fits a 4-2-3-1 as an inverted right-sided forward or can operate off the left to attack fullbacks inside-out. His pressing IQ helps knit together a front three that can trap wide and spring counters.

For City, Semenyo would be more of a rotation weapon. He mirrors several traits Pep values: repeat sprints, ball protection on the flank, and back-post timing. He can spell Doku on high-risk carry days, give Foden rest on the right, or work as a wide runner with Haaland occupying center-backs. City rarely overpay for squad depth, but his homegrown-adjacent Premier League adaptation reduces risk. The £65m clause sits at the edge of market value for a proven PL creator-finisher, yet amortization and age profile make it viable under PSR. Bournemouth lose a tone-setting presser, but their model anticipates one elite sale to recycle into two targeted additions.

Reaction

Social chatter split in familiar ways. United-leaning voices read momentum. One fan framed it simply: solid interest, inevitable outcome if the price is right. Another joked United will push for installments, highlighting PSR-conscious structuring. A City-tilted comment emphasized both clubs’ interest and the clause nearing activation, which aligns with the weekend temperature. Skeptics called it engagement bait and demanded club-side confirmations. That skepticism always appears at this stage, yet the repeat nature of talks is hard to dismiss.

There was also pride in United’s pathway narrative running alongside the rumor. The academy buzz around fresh debuts fed optimism that the club is building a younger, more intense front unit where Semenyo would slot naturally. A separate thread praised elite moments from Morgan Rogers, using it to argue that high-energy wide forwards are defining big Premier League games. Rooney’s nod to the kids added to the mood: a squad trending younger and hungrier. Net-net, fans want clarity on fee cadence and minutes promised, but the tone skews positive - especially among United supporters who see Semenyo as plug-and-play for Ten Hag’s pressing triggers.

Social reactions

No they haven't. This guy is just looking for interactions

REDemption (@REDemption0445)

Am sure united is negotiating paying in installments...😆😆

Mÿneś Ɓulanƙi 🌬💨 (@koharu76223)

We clearly have solid interest here and we will have our guy eventually

Sanaipei M (@Sanaipei_Cutie)

Prediction

Expect the following sequence. First, one of the two Manchester clubs agrees clause mechanics with Bournemouth and the player’s camp - clause value, payment phasing within compliance, and achievable add-ons tied to appearances and European football. Once that’s aligned, medicals and image rights can be executed within 48-72 hours. If City push, they will position Semenyo as a high-minutes rotation piece across both wings and as a pressing forward in cup-heavy stretches. If United push, they will pitch a starting role on the right with license to attack early in transitions and crash the back post.

Timing favors United. The sporting need is sharper, and the path to 2,500+ minutes is clearer. City can match terms, but minutes may cap the player’s ceiling in the short term. Bournemouth will stand firm until a club signals intent to lodge the clause. Once that happens, expect a rapid close. My base case: United proceed to activation, structure payments responsibly, and announce shortly after. Alternate scenario: City enter late if price softens, but a clause rarely softens. Dark horse outcome: Bournemouth agree a sale with loan-back if the window timing complicates their replacement plan, though that is less likely if the buying club needs an immediate impact.

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Conclusion

All signs point toward a decisive endgame. Multiple touchpoints across the weekend took this from airy rumor to structured inquiry. Semenyo’s profile answers real problems for United - pace, power, pressing and end product on the right - and he does it without a bedding-in tax. City’s interest is logical given squad density and their preference for proven Premier League profiles, but the clearest path to starring minutes is at Old Trafford. Bournemouth’s stance is clean: meet the clause or keep a core starter. That clarity tends to accelerate deals rather than stall them.

I have seen this pattern repeatedly: repeat club-to-club contacts, quick clause education, player-side openness, then a short runway to completion once financials align. We are there now. Unless a late curveball arrives, the smart money is on one club - most likely United - stepping up to activate. The fee is significant, but the risk-adjusted value is strong for a 18-month riser who fits the league’s direction of travel. Expect a swift resolution, and if United move first, expect Semenyo to start fast. The system fit is natural, and the data trends back it up.