Chelsea ready €90m record move for Premier League’s top striker after Haaland dominance
According to a source, Chelsea wants to make a huge bid of €90 million (£78 million) to Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. WANDERLUSTSPORT is assessing the potential effects of this move on Enzo Maresca’s current winger crop.
Last season, Semenyo elevated his performance to a new level, finishing with 13 goals and seven assists in 42 games across all competitions. Early in the current season, the winger has been playing even better, exuding confidence when finishing and taking on opponents.
Semenyo is on track to surpass his 2024–25 record after already recording six goals and three assists in eight games this season. With six league goals, he is the only player to have scored more than Erling Haaland.
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The Bournemouth star has an incredibly high conversion percentage of 35%. The Ghanaian international was at his peak against Fulham on Friday, scoring from a sharp angle to give Bournemouth the equaliser after gliding past Timothy Castagne.
After Bournemouth had taken the lead thanks to an incredible goal from Justin Kluivert, Ben Doak took Fulham off guard and set up Semenyo, who finished with a cool left-footed finish to seal the victory.
Despite losing a number of key players in the summer, the Cherries are surprisingly fourth in the standings heading into the international break. In 2026, though, they might have to contend with further bids for their top performers.
The Spanish publication Fichajes claims that Chelsea’s recruitment directors are “preparing a €90m offer” to try to persuade Bournemouth to sell after being astounded by Semenyo’s incredible performances.
Chelsea wants to make sure the wide player reaches his full potential at Stamford Bridge because they view him as “one of the next big names in English football.”
The team led by Enzo Maresca “understands they need to strengthen their attack” and is “serious” about bringing Semenyo on board.
In addition to helping Chelsea come closer to winning the title, the 25-year-old is seen to have the potential to make an immediate impact in west London and develop into a top player in the Champions League in the upcoming years.
Semenyo would surpass the £65 million deal that took striker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur in August of last year as Bournemouth’s new record selling with a €90 million/£78 million transfer.
However, it should be mentioned that Fichajes is not the most trustworthy European news source available, so we will have to wait for more sources to verify or refute Chelsea’s purported pursuit of Semenyo.
What role could Antoine Semenyo play at Chelsea?
Although it may be argued that the London-born star is more effective on the left, where he can cut inside with his better right foot, he is as at ease playing on either flank.
Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens are already available for Maresca to use on the left, while Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian are accessible on the right. Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk are also on Chelsea’s roster.
After being temporarily suspended due to a failed drug test, Mudryk is currently awaiting the results of his B sample. A conviction might result in a four-year penalty for Mudryk.
The Ukrainian has defended his innocence, and Chelsea backs him. However, the addition of Garnacho and Gittens throughout the summer has forced them to move on.
Sterling, on the other hand, is anticipated to go in 2026 after being completely removed from the senior squad.
Given their youth and the early stages of their Chelsea careers, Garnacho and Gittens are still up for debate.
Semenyo would be a definite improvement over the two at the moment because he consistently terrorises Premier League defenders.
Pedro Neto is playing excitingly and Estevao has elite potential, one could argue that Chelsea’s alternatives on the right are stronger.
Recently, the 18-year-old Brazilian became an instant favourite after scoring a thrilling late winner for Chelsea against Liverpool.
Semenyo would probably be utilised on the left, joining Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Neto in attack if he were to join Chelsea.
That frontline would be terrifying. Links with Semenyo may be a bit early, though, as Chelsea is likely to give Garnacho and Gittens at least a season or two to mature and begin to make an impact.
It should be mentioned that Semenyo was a summer target for Manchester United before they ultimately chose to sign Bryan Mbeumo. Semenyo is still demonstrating his ability to excel for a club known as the “big six.”
Gary Neville believes a Chelsea star is the league’s finest player in his position. In addition to Semenyo, another forward that Chelsea is rumoured to be interested in is a Serie A sensation. The Blues reportedly bid €68 million for him and received a response.
