Man Utd held talks to sign big-money star on Monday

Manchester United had a busy summer transfer window, reshaping their attack. They brought in three new players, two of whom came from the Premier League, and Benjamin Sesko from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The Slovenian has scored twice in the league so far.

The signings from within the English top-flight have started better. Bryan Mbeumo, who is currently away at AFCON, has hit the ground running with eight goals and assists in a United shirt. Matheus Cunha has reached four goal involvements and has looked sharp outside of those numbers.

Bringing in players from within the top flight has worked well for United, so it may not be a surprise that they are considering doing the same thing in January.

Man Utd ramping up January plans

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of Premier League stars over the last few weeks. Two of the most prominent reports suggest they are plotting a move for England midfield duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

However, they could be looking to add another attacker, too. Esteemed journalist Fabrizio Romano says Ruben Amorim’s side are “pushing and pushing and pushing” to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.

Romano claims that they held talks on Monday with his agent as they develop a formal bid for the player’s services. He has a £65m release clause at the Vitality Stadium, which has to be activated by 10th January.

This will be far from a straightforward deal for United to do, though. As Romano emphasised, they are looking to wrap this deal up quickly, because Manchester City are also in talks with his camp. The journalist described it as “the Manchester battle,” which United will be hoping to win.

Why Semenyo could be Man Utd’s new Valencia

Without doubt, 25-year-old Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s most in-form players in 2025/26. He was described as a “world-class” operator by Cherries teammate Justin Kluivert, and it is easy to see why.

In 16 appearances so far this term, the Ghanaian has found the back of the net eight times and assisted a further three. Only two players, Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland, have more goal involvements in the Premier League this season than Semenyo.

It is easy to see why United want to sign the winger this winter. Aside from having an eye for goal, as his numbers show, he is a dynamic ball carrier who likes to drive at full-backs. As football scout Ben Mattinson said, he is an “explosive” winger. His goal against Fulham earlier this term shows exactly that.

Indeed, looking at his underlying numbers from this season really reinforces the theory that he is an elite carrier. He’s averaged 1.6 completed take-ons per 90 minutes and has been a consistent final third threat, creating 1.4 chances each game.

The debate on where Semenyo would play if he were to move to United is certainly an interesting one. He is a winger by trade, but might well end up playing as a wing-back under Amorim.

That is one element that makes this deal similar to when United signed Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic. Of course, the Ecuadorian had a long and successful career at Old Trafford, captaining the club and making 339 appearances, scoring 25 times and assisting 58.

When he first signed for United, the 2011/12 Player of the Year winner was a winger, a role in which he shone for the Latics. He played that role at Old Trafford in the early part of his career, too, but eventually transitioned and became a full-back.

This is certainly something Semenyo could end up doing, although a bit higher up the pitch as a wing-back, rather than a full-back. On top of that, joining from a club outside of the big six is what Valencia did with great success.

The former United skipper was also a direct player, like Semenyo is now, who loved to drive at players with an explosive burst, similar to the one Mattinson described of the Cherries star. The similarities are clear to see.

£65m is a fairly expensive fee in the January transfer window, but there is no doubt that Semenyo’s quality would add to United. If he could have half the career Valencia did at Old Trafford, he would be a roaring success.

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