Iraola not concerned about Semenyo's Bournemouth future
Antoine Semenyo only signed a new deal with Bournemouth over the summer, but he has been linked with a move away from the club in January.
Andoni Iraola insisted he is not concerned about the possibility of Antoine Semenyo leaving Bournemouth in the January transfer window.
During the international window, reports emerged that Semenyo, who has six goals in the Premier League this season, has a release clause in his contract of £65m.
The 25-year-old only put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with the Cherries in July, but his impressive start to 2025-26 has put the club on high alert for potential bids.
Semenyo has registered nine goal involvements in the Premier League this term, a total only bettered by Manchester City's Erling Haaland (15 –14 goals, one assist).
Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are all reportedly keen on acquiring Semenyo's signature, though Iraola remained calm about the forward's future.
"We are in November. Antoine [Semenyo] is our player, he will continue to be our player. In January, you can ask me about the market," Iraola told reporters.
"But right now, I am not worried about the next market. I am not worried about the situation. In January, we will talk about whatever happened, the players we need."
But Semenyo's recent drop in form has also seen Bournemouth slip down the Premier League table, though they are only a point adrift of fourth-placed Sunderland.
Up until the October international break, only Haaland (10) had been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than Semenyo (nine – six goals, three assists).
However, since then, Semenyo has gone four league games without a goal or assist. He was averaging 2.4 shots and 1.4 chances created per game in the competition prior to the October break, but that has fallen to 1.5 shots and 0.3 chances created per game since.
And the Cherries look set to be without their top scorer for this weekend's clash with West Ham at Vitality Stadium, with Semenyo struggling with an ankle issue.
Justin Kluivert is also ruled out with an adductor strain and Scotland midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak is potentially facing surgery to repair hamstring damage.
"Antoine is different. Justin [Kluivert] and Ben [Gannon-Doak] have muscle injuries and Antoine's was not something new that happened when he was there," Iraola added.
"He was already dealing with an ankle injury. I cannot tell you if he's going to play tomorrow or not. We will have to see.
"We have a couple of situations with people who have arrived late. We have to see if they are comfortable to help us tomorrow."
