Bristol City ‘reject bid’ as Dortmund linked and Crystal Palace stance revealed on Semenyo

Bristol City are to be tested this January transfer window as speculation mounts on the future of World Cup striker Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo scored his first goal for the Robins since September in their 1-1 draw with Coventry to open the New Year, but whether he will still be a player at Ashton Gate at the end of the month, will be another story.

The 22-year-old is subject of interest to a handful of clubs, including Scottish Premiership pair Celtic and Rangers, whilst Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton and Turkish giants Fenerbahce have also been linked.

Semenyo’s reputation has grown since playing in two of Ghana’s matches at the World Cup in Qatar. He may not have scored but from the substitute’s bench, looked a handful for the Black Stars, and during the World Cup break, scored his first international goal, netting in a warm-up match against Switzerland.

Here is the latest media round-up on Semenyo, with reports of a bid rejected, interest cooling, as well as a potential double bid of £20m.

'Bournemouth 'in talks' to sign Bristol City 'duo'

It was reported on early Monday evening by TEAMtalk that Bournemouth had entered talks to sign both Semenyo and England Under-19 international Alex Scott. Funds have been made available to former City midfielder Gary O'Neil by new owner Bill Foley and co-owner Black Panther actor Michael B Jordan. Semenyo and Scott were said to have 'caught the eye' and that Bournemouth were ready to test the waters at Bristol City with a £20m bid for both.

Shortly after the article had been published, City posted a tweet captioned ‘AS11 x AS7’ with two stars surrounding their initials, accompanied with a photo of the pair celebrating against Coventry. In response, plenty of supporters tried linking both the reports and their tweet.

No bids made, but interest from Bournemouth

Later on Monday, BristolLive confirmed there was interest from the Cherries, but that no bid had been made for either Semenyo or Scott. More than a quarter of Premier League clubs reportedly want Alex Scott, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, who according to the Telegraph, value him at £10m. The Post report however that Bournemouth not entered talks for the 19-year-old.

As for Semenyo, they say that Bournemouth are looking at different transfer targets at the moment. They had looked at him in the summer but with the club in limbo as Maxim Demin prepared for the sale, they were unable to reach City’s value of the player.

Crystal Palace ‘cool interest’

At one point Crystal Palace looked like the likeliest of destinations for Semenyo, who was born in London. Technical director Dougie Freedman had watched over Semenyo a few times, but the Eagles opted against a move as a result of his injury he sustained in June.

Palace however are seemingly withdrawing from the race though according to Alan Nixon, a Football League journalist for The Sun. He posted on his Patreon page that because of Semenyo’s lack of game time, they are unlikely to make a move. Up until the double-header against Millwall and Coventry, Semenyo had not started a league game since mid-October. He had also gone nine games without a goal contribution before his equaliser against Coventry.

Bid rejected, two new clubs join race

In the latest report, this time coming from Sahara Football, a Ghanaian football website, City have reportedly reject an offer for Semenyo, from Bournemouth, and that it is unclear whether they will return with a second bid. They claim that Semenyo is looking to move on from City, but will only join the ‘right club’.

Further on in their report they attribute interest from Southampton and Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, who are two new names to enter the fray. Dortmund have been successful with British-born players in recent years, recouping a fee for Jadon Sancho, as well as being the club that currently owns England international Jude Bellingham.

Southampton on the other hand are managed by Nathan Jones, who is yet to win a game with the Saints since leaving Luton Town in November. They are bottom of the Premier League, and are currently two points adrift of 17th-placed West Ham United.