Newcastle United plotting swoop for Sunderland flop as Black Cats pushed to seal ‘unbelievable’ deal

Earlier this season, the winger caused numerous issues for Newcastle’s defences.

According to rumours, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are all vying for the signing of AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo during the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old had a disappointing loan spell at the Stadium of Light in 2020, making only seven games and failing to score before returning to parent club Bristol City. However, Semenyo’s popularity has skyrocketed since then. Now a 21-cap Ghanaian international, he has established himself as a prominent element of Bournemouth’s front line, scoring three goals in seven Premier League appearances this season.

That form has piqued the interest of several top-flight heavyweights, with GiveMeSport reporting that Newcastle, Tottenham, and Liverpool are all following the player ahead of potential raids. Given that he has five years left on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, it is expected that the Cherries will seek a high fee for his services.

Semenyo sprang to prominence after progressing through the Bristol City academy, making his debut at 18 as a replacement for current Magpie Lloyd Kelly when the two played together in 2018. The Ghanaian demonstrated promise in the lower levels during loan spells at Bath City and Newport County, prompting then-League One club Sunderland to take him on a six-month loan move on deadline day in January 2020.

Semenyo failed to regain his best form at the Stadium of Light, making only seven appearances under Phil Parkinson during a challenging period marked by the Covid-19 outbreak and the lockdown conditions imposed at the time. However, after returning to Ashton Gate, he established himself as one of the Championship’s most dynamic dribblers over the next 18 months, earning a £10 million transfer to Premier League club Bournemouth in January 2023.

Semenyo is well-known for his cunning, pace, and creativity, making him a priority target for Newcastle in January, according to GiveMeSport. The report understands Eddie Howe’s side has deployed scouts to keep an eye on the Bournemouth winger this season as they consider making an offer in the January window.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interest in the Ghana international, who has emerged as one of the Premier League’s rising stars this season.

Newcastle had a late bid for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga rejected on deadline day, and the club is expected to prioritise strengthening the right side of the attack in the coming months.