David James has fired a warning to AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo after transfer interest from Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.
It was reported this week that Liverpool have ‘joined the battle’ to sign the Ghana international in January with United and Spurs also very keen.
Liverpool are believed to view Semenyo as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who has been in poor form for the Reds in recent weeks.
Semenyo, meanwhile, has shined for the Cherries this season with six goals and three assists across his opening eight Premier League matches.
It is understood Bournemouth received offers from United and Spurs for Semenyo in the summer but the bids were below the Cherries’ valuation.
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Semenyo signed a new deal with Bournemouth after those rejected offers – but his new contract on the south coast is said to include a release clause.
While the exact figure of the release clause is not yet known, Bournemouth are thought to value the 25-year-old winger at over £75m.
But former Liverpool and Bournemouth goalkeeper James has warned Semenyo that he may struggle to get the same of amount of game time if he decides to leave the Vitality Stadium in the January transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to Metro via AskGamblers, James said: ‘I think Bournemouth have shown they’re not frightened to lose players. I think they’ve been excellent in that sense, just looking at this season and the players they lost. I think with Bournemouth, it will be a calculated decision.
‘I think Bournemouth would have to have someone lined up [as a replacement], and it wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve already got someone lined up or have in the pipeline to get lined up.
‘If I were Semenyo, well, we’re not talking about bad teams here, are we? I think the question would be, where is he going to get game time?
‘It’s the Premier League with five substitutes, [so] there’s always going to be game time [but] is it going to be the game time that he wants, compared to what he is having at Bournemouth? Or is it just purely about where do I win trophies?’
James plays down Semenyo’s Arsenal support
Semenyo is known to be an Arsenal supporter – but James has played down talk of him being a Gunners fan as a factor in which club he will decide to join next – if the north London side enter the transfer race.
‘I love it when I hear that football players are fans of certain teams, because, you know, being a fan doesn’t mean that you’re there,’ he added.
‘You’ve not got your bedroom kitted out with posters of your favourite players on it. It might just be that he likes their style of play.’
Speaking last year, Semenyo said: ‘I am an Arsenal fan.
‘It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well.’
Quizzed if moving to a club like Arsenal would be ‘a dream come true’, Semenyo added: ‘Yeah, any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) – that’s the aim.’