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The Bournemouth winger has attracted interest from across the Premier League and, while the Cherries are desperate to keep him next month, there's a growing sense of inevitability that Semenyo will move on
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted he does not want winger Antoine Semenyo to leave the club in the January transfer window, but added he might be left powerless to stop the Cherries’ star man from departing.
Semenyo has been linked with a midseason move to the majority of the Premier League’s top clubs, with Liverpool among those monitoring the Ghana international.
Reports have claimed he has a £65 million ($88M) release clause in his contract, while The Athletic states Chelsea has made an “initial enquiry” about signing Semenyo in January. Inevitably, Iraola was asked about the rumors during Tuesday’s press conference and admitted he is unsure how the situation will progress next month.
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“I know that there is lots of noise around him. [It’s] not my concern; my concern is it doesn't affect his performances. It is not doing.
“He is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him here.
“[The] situation we cannot control, but Antoine right now is our player. [He is] going to continue playing for us.
“If you ask me, I don’t want to lose him, definitely don’t. But every time the market opens, you never know what is going to happen.”
Asked whether he understands the club’s position and why Semenyo could be sold, Iraola replied: “At the end, in the situation, myself as a coach, I don’t control.
“When you sign a contract, I understand both parties are happy when you sign it.
“But me as a coach, I can only tell you I hope we don’t lose him, because he is very important for us. But I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Semenyo has provided eight goals and three assists in 16 Premier League matches this season. Only Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes have produced higher numbers for goal involvements in 2025/26.
Liverpool’s need to make attacking additions in the January transfer window has been heightened by the leg and ankle injury Alexander Isak suffered last Saturday.
Isak underwent surgery earlier this week, and Arne Slot said in Tuesday’s press conference that he expects him to be out for several months, but should return before the end of the season.
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