FootyDream

Bournemouth have officially confirmed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City.

The forward has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year and becomes the third new arrival at Vitality Stadium this month.

Semenyo had been a long-term target for the club and a third offer comprising £9million upfront and significant add-ons was enough to tempt the Championship outfit into selling, having rejected two previous bids in recent weeks.

The 23-year-old is understood to have travelled down to the south coast yesterday to undergo his medical checks. Initially, Crystal Palace were also believed to be in the race, although they failed to match or exceed the tabled offer from Cherries.

Bournemouth re-opened discussions after complications arose during Nicolas Jackson’s medical, and the arrival of Semenyo will significantly strengthen Gary O’Neil’s attacking options as they bid to fend off Premier League relegation.

Yesterday, City boss Nigel Pearson openly admitted that an agreement had been struck with Cherries.
“As we stand, Antoine is in discussions with Bournemouth, I can confirm that,” he told reporters. “The driver of those types of situations are two clubs agreeing a fee.

“That’s happened now and the club will at some point disclose what that is but not today at a press conference.

“He’s been given permission to speak to the club and there will be an opportunity for a medical. That’s where we are with that and no real further comments on that at the moment.

“The most important fact to recognise at the moment is a fee has been agreed between the two clubs so now there are other factors to wait to see; one being a medical and one being agreeing personal terms.”

It remains to be seen whether Bournemouth will press ahead with their deal for Jackson, while they have also begun talks with Roma over midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo. At this stage, it is thought the player is reluctant to join.

©Dorsetlive

PSV Eindhoven and Southampton have been knocked back in their attempt to sign Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana, L’Equipe has reported.

Both clubs are interested in buying out the 21-year-old from the last two and a half years of his contract with Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.

Sulemana was first linked with the Premier League last week by the Daily Mail. The paper reported that Everton had asked about signing the youngster possibly on loan with a permanent option.

Now a report by L’Equipe on Wednesday reveals the ex-FC Nordsjælland player has been the subject of two offers, from PSV Eindhoven and Southampton, both of which have been rejected.

Both clubs bid €17m although the Dutch side’s offer was structured as an initial €15m along with €2m in add-ons, whereas the Premier League side’s offer excluded any bonuses.

According to the report, the club’s sporting director Florian Maurice has informed representatives of Sulemana of his intent on keeping hold of the player, given their current injury crisis in the forward spots. But it is not certain that this desire is shared.

The 2022 Fifa World Cup campaigner with Ghana has one goal in 13 appearances (just two starts and 271 minutes of game time) this season after finding the net four times last term – a situation enough to push him to consider his future.

©FG