Antoine Semenyo is emerging as a transfer target for Turkish giants Fenerbahce but Bristol Live understands the feeling remains that if the Bristol City striker is to be sold, it will more likely be to a British club.
Turkish publication Fanatik report that Semenyo is an alternative target being considered by the Istanbul club should they fail to land Cameroon international Vincent Aboubakar, who is currently in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, the team mooted to be signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Semenyo and Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka are the two names that Fener will turn to if their pursuit for Aboubakar proves unsuccessful, with comparisons made with their signing of Bright Osayi-Samuel from QPR in January 2021.
In that winter window, Fener took advantage of the Nigerian's expiring contract to sign him for just £500,000 and the 24-year-old has gone to make 78 appearances for the club.
Semenyo’s case is a little different because although the 22-year-old has six months remaining on his agreement at Ashton Gate, City still hold a 12-month option which they will surely activate to safeguard his valuation.
City curiously haven’t done so but that’s also because they have effectively been in on-off negotiations over fresh terms since the start of the year. As January approaches, as was the case with Callum O’Dowda in 2019, that will surely happen. Indeed, speaking in August, owner Steve Lansdown referenced Semenyo still having “two years” on his contract.
It does look increasingly likely that if there is to be a sale out of the club at the start of 2023, it will be Semenyo. Nigel Pearson and Brian Tinnion have both been open and honest that they cannot reinforce the squad without external investment in one of the existing first-team players.
Alex Scott is, of course, another candidate but the Robins are likely to only want to sustain one significant departure, and Semenyo theoretically could raise enough finances to allow Pearson to bring in a much-needed centre-back and potentially a player in another position.
There’s also the fact that Semenyo hasn’t matched or progressed his production from his sensational second half of last season as, after a shin injury robbed him of pre-season, he’s scored four goals in 18 appearances and hasn’t found the target in his last 13 matches.
With the emergence of Tommy Conway as a frontline goalscorer, Semenyo’s sale can be covered by the rest of the squad, something that wasn’t so apparent in the summer.
However, while reports of Fenerbahce’s interest are new, there has been no contract between the Turkish club and City and remains simply that, at present, with the likelihood that Semenyo’s current credible suitors are in the United Kingdom.
Premier League Bournemouth, who made a number of enquiries in the summer but were unable to consider City’s valuation, could return with a concrete offer once Bill Foley’s takeover of the club goes through with new permanent head coach Gary O’Neil keen to bolster his squad.
Crystal Palace, who tried to sign Semenyo into their academy when he was at SGS College only for the teenager to choose City, remain long-term admirers and would have bid in the summer if not for the forward’s injury sustained while on international duty.
Scottish duo Rangers and Celtic have also long been linked, and have watched the 22-year-old extensively, although it remains to be seen whether they could match either Premier League side financially.
All this being said, it's a similar situation as it was heading into the summer when City were anticipating offers but Semenyo's injury meant nothing substantial was forthcoming, and with the reduced timeframe of the January window and market inconsistencies of that period, the same situation could play out.
Pearson has maintained he would like to conduct any business he can early; a statement that does not marry with the concept of waiting throughout the month for a respectful approach for Semenyo to manifest.
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