25yo star refused to join Man Utd after Red Devils offered him less than 70% of what Cunha & Mbeumo earn
Manchester United agreed personal terms with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo during the summer transfer window and were willing to offer the Cherries £55 million, according to Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles.
The Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim also met with the 25-year-old Ghana international for a meal.
However, Semenyo decided against a move after discovering he was going to be earning considerably less than Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo at Man United.
Bournemouth have since handed him a contract extension, and he has started the new Premier League campaign in fine form.
“During those conversations, United, I’m told, said they would pay no more than £55m for the player,” Castles said on the latest episode of The Transfers Podcast.
“They agreed personal terms with Semenyo before attempting to agree a fee with Bournemouth. They even had Ruben Amorim take him for a meal in London at the end of the season, so Amorim could judge his character. Again, similar process to Cunha and Mbeumo.
“And then, I’m told, Semenyo discovered that the salary that he had agreed with Man Utd was going to be less than 70 per cent of what they were prepared to pay Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
“And Bournemouth strategically used that to convince the player to sign a new contract till 2030, with the idea that he will spend at least one more season at Bournemouth before moving on to another club.”
The Cherries star has two goals and one assist in three Premier League appearances in 2025-26 after ending last season with 11 goals and six assists in 37 league games.
Cunha and Mbeumo are starting to find their feet at Man United, and Amorim would be pleased with how he bolstered his attacking ranks.
However, adding Semenyo to his team would have been huge too, and signing such a talented winger for £55m would have been a steal.
He could be back on the market next summer and whether Man United will be open to returning with improved personal terms remains to be seen.
Article written by Alani Adefunmiloye .