Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, a Ghana international, is reportedly available for a £65 million transfer fee, as stipulated in a release clause in his current contract. The clause can be activated by interested clubs during the first two weeks of the January transfer window, giving the Cherries time to secure a replacement for their key player.

The 25-year-old recently committed his future to Vitality Stadium, signing a five-year deal on July 1, extending his stay until 2030. While initially seen as a deterrent to suitors or a move to guarantee a high transfer fee, reports from BBC Sport and David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed the existence of this time-sensitive clause, which is £5 million lower than last summer’s reported £70 million valuation.

Semenyo has attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who reportedly made inquiries during the previous summer window. Despite Bournemouth offloading key defensive players such as Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Dango Ouattara for substantial fees, and failing to make Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan permanent, retaining Semenyo remains crucial for the club’s performance this season.

His impressive form under manager Andoni Iraola has been pivotal for Bournemouth’s campaign, with six goals and three assists in 11 Premier League appearances this season. Last season, he achieved a career-high 11 league goals and 13 across all competitions.

Semenyo’s journey has seen him overcome early setbacks, being rejected by London academies including Arsenal, Tottenham, and Millwall, before honing his skills at SGS College in Bristol under former Leeds manager Dave Hockaday. He joined Bristol City in 2017, progressing through loan spells at Bath, Newport, and Sunderland before cementing his first-team role in the 2020-21 season. His move to Bournemouth in January 2023 for £10 million marked a key step in his career, and he has steadily improved, helping the club secure a ninth-place finish last season.

While Bournemouth ideally hope to retain their star winger, activation of the release clause in January could see him depart. If Semenyo stays beyond the winter window, reports suggest the clause may reappear at a lower fee, offering future suitors another opportunity.