"'There is a feeling Arsenal would have ranked as his first choice had they been firmly at the table, although many tipped Liverpool to prevail given their stuttering title defence, the uncertainty around Mohamed Salah, and Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes having originally recruited him to Bournemouth. 'Tottenham tried again, proposing a highly competitive salary, only for Semenyo to politely decline their advances and that resulted in City and United then emerging as the leading contenders.'"
"'The 25-year-old grew up as an Arsenal fan and was naturally interested in the prospect of a move to the Emirates. 'The admiration is mutual - Arsenal have been impressed by Semenyo's rapid development at Bournemouth. 'While there was some contact between the parties, it was clear from the outset that Arsenal's interest was on the basis of a summer move rather than January. 'With Semenyo eager to move soon, Manchester City now seem to have emerged as the player's preferred choice.'"
Antoine Semenyo moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City in the January transfer window. A £65 million release clause existed that would have allowed Arsenal to sign him, and Arsenal would have ranked as his first choice had they bid. Semenyo grew up an Arsenal fan and Arsenal had been impressed by his rapid development at Bournemouth, but Arsenal's interest was framed as a summer move rather than a January transfer. Tottenham proposed a competitive salary but Semenyo declined, and Liverpool was considered a potential suitor due to prior recruitment links. Manchester City emerged as the player's preferred immediate destination.
Read at Soccer News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]