Manchester United refuses to pay too much for their biggest transfer goals this summer, which is said to have led to a movement for breaking down Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo
Manchester United reportedly stated in their pursuit of Antoine Semenyo – who was once called a “younger version” by Mohamed Salah – after he refused to reach Bournemouth's asking price.
After completing all the signing of £ 62.5 million from Matheus Cunha to start their summer transfer activity, United is looking for a more multifunctional attacker. The fitting of that description is Semenyo, although the movement now seems to have crumbled.
The impressive 13 goals of the Ghanaian winger and seven assists this season led to the interest of United, where Talksport claimed that the player held conversations with the club about a potential relocation in Old Trafford. But the same versions that caught the attention of United have encouraged Bournemouth to determine the transfer value of the 25-year-old at no less than £ 70 million.
That figure is part of a broader trend that will be seen this summer, where Premier League clubs charge more for their players as the traditional large clubs switch their attention to signing players with experience in the top flight of England.
The I Paper reports that, in addition to United, Spurs showed the most interest in Semenyo, after he had stayed in contact with the cherries after making a first request last week. But there is an increasing belief that he will stay in Bournemouth, with the Red Devils, Spurs and Newcastle all not willing to reach their hefty asking price after he had agreed a five -year contract extension with the club last year.
The restraint of United to pay so much is a clear indication of their approach to the summer transfer window, where they are under financial limitations and will not spend as recklessly as in the past.
Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, for example, has emerged as the best target of Ruben Amorim about Semenyo, but the Red Devils only want him for a reasonable fee. Despite the wish of the Cameroonian to become a member of the Red Devils, United must still agree with Brentford, who rejected a second bid of £ 55 million plus £ 7.5 million in bonuses for the 25-year-old.
The bees want at least the same compensation that united paid wolves for Cunha in advance and it is still unclear whether the Red Devils will pay it. After missing European football next season, Amorim's transfer budget was not as great this summer as it could have been if he had won the Europa League final in May.
The last financial results of United for the first three months of 2025, however, revealed a more encouraging picture earlier this year despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which suggested that the club was on its way to not have any money anymore.
It is understood that United will therefore look to complete the signing of Mbeumo to go alongside Cunha with their current finances. But they have to sell people like Tyrell Malacia, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony before they make further additions outside Mbeumo.
As United Bank, the reimbursements they are looking for for the aforementioned players, they will secure somewhere in the region of £ 170 million. It is not expected that Amorim will sign a third attacker, with those funds that are invested in other parts of the field.
That will mean that he encouraged Semenyo, who, formerly United Striker Michael Owen, to buy Liverpool back in March as a replacement for Salah, whose future was still unclear at the time.
Owen claimed that the versatile wing player could be a suitable heir to the Egyptian in Anfield and said: “I love Antoine Semenyo in Bournemouth, who plays in the same position as Salah. I like him, a younger version, but has absolute energy, scoring possibilities and a good player.”
He added: “Having said that, you can't replace Mo Salah. I mean, if you said that Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez were going and Alexander Isak and Antoine Semenyo came, I don't think it's the worst swap in the world if we play fantasy football here, but realistically, their best players don't want their best players Semenyo now seems to stay in Bournemouth, unless the club drops their appreciation or the player is trying to force a movement.