Manchester United have received a major January boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
Despite an inconsistent Premier League campaign under Ruben Amorim, United remain just three
points off the top four and firmly in the Champions League hunt. With that prize still in reach, the club are prepared to back their manager in the winter window — potentially with a marquee signing.
A new defensive midfielder remains the priority, but United’s top targets — Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba — are all viewed as summer deals at the earliest, forcing United to pivot.
That’s where Semenyo comes in.
🚨🗣️ @David_Ornstein on Antoine Semenyo:
“Everything I’ve learned suggests that a transfer is highly possible and the names that are emerging as the leading contenders are Manchester City and Manchester United, in no particular order. They’re both extremely fond of him.… pic.twitter.com/1sxmA7snQL
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) December 21, 2025
According to David Ornstein, speaking to NBC Sports, Manchester United and Manchester City are currently leading the race for the 25-year-old, whose £65 million release clause becomes active between January 1 and 10.
“Everything I’ve learned suggests that a transfer is highly possible, and the names that are emerging as the leading contenders are Manchester City and Manchester United, in no particular order. They’re both extremely fond of him,” Ornstein stated.
Liverpool and Arsenal admire the player but are not pushing for a January move, while Semenyo has cooled interest from Tottenham despite the promise of a lucrative salary.
“He is politely focusing on two options, namely City or United, and he will have to decide on that,” Ornstein revealed.
With eight league goals and three assists already this season, Semenyo offers end product as well as versatility.
For United, though, Semenyo is viewed as more than just another attacker.
Rather than displacing recent arrivals Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo or Benjamin Sesko, Amorim sees him as a dynamic left wing-back — a role currently filled by the more defensively inclined Diogo Dalot.
Patrick Dorgu has struggled for minutes amid public criticism from Amorim, and Semenyo’s energy, ball-carrying and work rate make him an ideal upgrade in a system that demands aggressive wide players.
