Tottenham can get one over on Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United in the January transfer window by swooping to sign Antoine Semenyo.
The Bournemouth forward has been in incredible form this season, scoring 11 goals so far and laying on three assists. Only Erling Haaland and Brentford's Igor Thiago have scored more goals than him, while there are only nine players with more assists to their name currently.
He is going to be one of the most talked about players in the January transfer window, not just because of his impressive performances, but because of the price tag around his neck.
Antoine Semenyo Release Clause Comes With A Catch
Semenyo will not come cheap, but he does have a release clause that will pique a number of clubs' interest.
The 25-year-old, who has remained in England after Ghana's failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 21 years, is wanted by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as Spurs, GIVEMESPORT understands, in January.
According to David Ornstein, Spurs could also move again for Man City's Savinho if they can't get a deal done for Semenyo, though.
Semenyo has a release clause in his current Cherries contract that allows him to leave the club in January for £65million. However, there is a catch in that clubs can only activate that release clause in the first two weeks of the window.
That means work will need to be done quickly if any of the top teams want to sign the frontman mid-season.
How Tottenham Can Complete a Deal
Spurs have been hit and miss under Thomas Frank so far this season, with the former Brentford manager struggling to find the perfect formula for his team.
As a result, his position is under threat, even at this early stage of his time at the club, having only replaced Ange Postecoglou at the helm in the summer.
One of those high on the list to replace him, if he is sacked, is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard has worked wonders with the Cherries, employing the sort of free-flowing attacking football that has become synonymous with Spurs. And if Spurs were to cut their losses on Frank and employ Iraola, it could kill two birds with one stone and help them beat their rivals to the signing of Semenyo.
When all others appeared to be leaving the south coast club last summer - see Milos Kerkez, Illya Zabarnyi and Deak Huijsen - Semenyo stayed and signed a new contract, with that release clause inserted.
Iraola was key to that decision. Semenyo said: "There was a lot of interest and back-and-fourth with the club [over a potential transfer]. But I knew in my head that the manager's got something up his sleeve this year. How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we've bought in as well.
“He’s unbelievable [Iraola] honestly," Semenyo told Jamie Redknapp."As everyone embedded into what his playing style was, it’s just been unbelievable. It’s just relentless and I think everyone’s into it.”
Can Spurs Afford Semenyo?
Tottenham have only spent £65million on a single player once - coincidentally doing so when paying Bournemouth that much for Dominic Solanke.
That £65million was all in, with an initial £55million up front and the other £10million in add-ons. That would make Semenyo the Lilywhites' record signing if he were to make the move to the white side of north London.
Tottenham do have the capability to splash the cash though. Owners ENIC promised a £100million investment in the team earlier this year, which was no wholly for the January transfer window but could be used by Thomas Frank to improve the squad.
Signing Semenyo would be a huge statement of intent, particularly given the teams who have also registered an interest in him.
What Has Been Said About Semenyo And His Future?
Given all the speculation, Semenyo has been focused on his work with Bournemouth when asked about his future this season.
“I try to stay present as much as I can,” Semenyo told Sky Sports. “You see the news all the time, I see it as well. I’m not oblivious but I try to stay focused. I don’t think about it too much.
“I’m enjoying my football here. If I’m not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens.”
Team-mate Justin Kluivert described him as "world-class" earlier this season, while former Tottenham star Chris Waddle sent a message to his old club in October when he declared Semenyo the "best winger in the Premier League right now".
Semenyo's future will be one to watch in January - if only for the first two weeks of the window - as a number of clubs do battle to sign him.