Chelsea launch shock Antoine Semenyo transfer bid in race involving Man Utd and Liverpool - The Mirror

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham have registered their interest in Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo for £65million and now Chelsea have entered the race

Chelsea have emerged as contenders to sign Antoine Semenyo by launching a late bid to sign the Bournemouth star. Semenyo, 25, is wanted by a cluster of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham.

The London-born Ghana international is available for £65million due to a release clause which activates on New Year's Day. The clause will only be active until the second week of January, though, giving Bournemouth ample time to sign a replacement.

A departure next month looks increasingly likely, although Chelsea weren't among the favourites to sign him - until now. Several outlets are reporting that the Blues entered the race on Monday evening after Semenyo and his representatives had spent the day weighing up their options.

The Mail report that Semenyo has an affiliation with Chelsea, having been born in West London. The 25-year-old came through the ranks of Bristol City before joining Bournemouth for £10m two years ago.

Semenyo's release clause, which is specified as £60m plus £5m in add-ons, will be reduced in the summer transfer window, but interested clubs are increasingly wary that by then it could be too late. The forward has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 17 games for Bournemouth this season.

The Cherries are reluctant to lose Semenyo, especially having lost four key players over the summer, but they're ultimately powerless if a suitor activates his clause. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola commented: "Semenyo right now is with us. He trained today with us

"I know that there is lots of noise around him. Not my concern, my concern is it doesn't affect his performances. It is not doing, he is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him here.

"(It's a) situation we cannot control, but Antoine right now is our player. Going to continue playing for us. If you ask me, I don't want to lose him, definitely don't. But every time the market opens, you never know what is going to happen.

Which club should Antoine Semenyo join? Have your say in the comments section.

"Antoine, for me, has been performing very well. Not just the last two games where he has scored. He has consistently been very good since the beginning. Even when not scoring, he is still valuable for us. At the end, we don’t just demand numbers. It is no secret he is a massive player for us."

Iraola can understand why so many clubs are interested, adding: "Yes, he is performing amazingly well. But lots of wingers from other teams are performing amazingly well.

"In the league, nearly all teams have a difference maker. Especially offensively. I don’t know what is going to happen in the winter market."

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