Bournemouth are not expecting to lose Antoine Semenyo in January, but they are already working on potential replacements, knowing he is almost certain to leave in the summer of 2026, TBR Football understands.
Semenyo signed a new contract with The Cherries last summer, but as previously revealed, it does include a release clause.
While the number of Semenyo suitors seems to increase week by week, Bournemouth and their recruitment team – led by president of football operations Tiago Pinto – are already considering how they might replace him.
Sources have confirmed to TBR Football that the club have been impressed by a number of different players, but they could once again turn to the Championship – something they have done successfully in recent years.
Exclusive: Bournemouth like Ipswich Town’s Jaden Philogene
The likes of Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, and indeed Semenyo himself were all recruited from the Championship.
Now, TBR Football can reveal that one player Bournemouth rate very highly is Ipswich Town’s Jaden Philogene.
Philogene is one of the Championship’s standout forwards and has started the season in superb form, scoring five goals so far.
We can confirm that Bournemouth are one of several Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Philogene, with Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Brentford also monitoring the 23-year-old.
TBR Football also understands that Bournemouth have been keeping an eye on other potential options this season, including Real Sociedad’s Barrene, Roma’s Mathias Soule, Rio Ave’s Andre Luiz, and Bodo/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge.
Chief correspondent Graeme Bailey said: “Bournemouth have confirmed Semenyo has a clause, but they are really are insistent that he won’t be leaving in January.
“Nobody at this point knows if the clause can be activated in January or not, but I am led to believe it is more than than the Dominic Solanke clause which was £65million and is someone willing to do that in the January window? It is unlikely.
“Semenyo for his part is keeping quiet, but Bournemouth are making sure that the message is out there that Semenyo is not available.
“But off the back of the Semenyo interest, Tiago and his team are doing work on potential replacements but again they see that for the summer rather than January.
“Whilst I believe what Bournemouth are saying, within football, the noises are getting louder and some think he could move.”