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Liverpool and Manchester United's pursuit of Antoine Semenyo has received a boost after it emerged that Manchester City are merely monitoring the in-form Bournemouth star for now.
Semenyo stayed on the south coast despite transfer speculation in the summer and put pen to paper on a fresh contract with the Cherries, though the Ghana international did hold talks with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. The forward's new deal contains an exit clause - set at $78 million (£60 million) plus $7M (£5m) in add-ons - which comes into effect during the January transfer window.
United is monitoring Bournemouth's Semenyo, alongside Liverpool, who has been suggested as the frontrunners for his signature in some quarters. Manchester City is also keen, though.
It has emerged that Pep Guardiola's side are by no means as advanced as others in their pursuit of the Premier League star, who has netted six goals and provided three assists in 11 appearances, with Mail Online reporting they are simply observing the situation as it develops for the time being.
Speaking last year, Semenyo outlined his ambitions for European football. "Any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) - that's the aim," he said.
"I know that's not going to come with a click of my fingers, it's going to take some time.
"It's going to take goals. It's going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I've worked all my life for that and I'm just going to continue working hard. That's my mentality."
Semenyo has begun to fulfil that promise and is attracting growing speculation about a potential move upwards. Ex-striker Darren Bent believes he would be a perfect replacement for Mo Salah at Anfield.
He said on talkSport: "He has exploded out of the traps this season and he just looks really comfortable in himself. Every game you see him do something and you go, 'Oh my goodness'... he's one of those rare players and I call players like this unstoppable. Gareth Bale was like that.
"When I talk about unstoppable, I'm talking about their attributes. When Bale started to move, you just couldn't stop him and Semenyo is the same. Once he gets going, he's going past people and he's gliding. What's good about him is that he can go both ways. I think he's got the full package.
"For so long now, Liverpool have been able to depend on Salah on that right-hand side, season upon season, and don't get me wrong, he's been one of the best players we've ever seen in this country. But the signs are that he potentially maybe is slowing down a fraction. Now, all of a sudden, you have to start addressing both sides."
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