Soccer
Andoni Iraola is hopeful Bournemouth can keep hold of Antoine Semenyo amid interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Semenyo has had a stellar season for Bournemouth, scoring eight Premier League goals and providing a further three assists.
Only Erling Haaland (19) and Igor Thiago (11) have scored more goals in the English top flight than Semenyo this season.
Semenyo has been involved in 20 Premier League goals in 2025, scoring 14 times and providing six assists. It is the joint-most goal involvements by a Cherries player in a calendar year, along with Dominic Solanke in 2023 (15 goals, five assists).
Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been credited with holding an interest in Semenyo, who reportedly has a £65m buy-out clause in the contract he signed earlier this year.
But Iraola wants to keep the winger.
The Bournemouth boss said: “Semenyo right now is with us. He trained today with us
“I know that there is lots of noise around him. It’s 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 is 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.”
BACK. pic.twitter.com/kBRSId2rrv
— Antoine Semenyo (@antoinesemenyo) December 16, 2025
Iraola credited Semenyo for maintaining his displays amid the speculation.
“Antoine, for me, has been performing very well,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
Iraola acknowledged, though, that Semenyo’s future is ultimately not in his hands.
“When you sign a contract, I understand both parties are happy when you sign it,” he said.
“But as a coach, I can only tell you I hope we don’t lose him, because he is very important for us. But I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Read MoreSoccerNews