Manchester United are preparing an early push to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo when the January transfer window opens. Central to United’s strategy is a release clause in Semenyo’s contract that would make the Ghana international available for £65 million ($87 million). Reports indicate that this clause is only active for the first two weeks of January, creating a narrow window for any suitor.

United’s plan, according to The Telegraph, is to move quickly once the market reopens. Competition is intense: Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all understood to be in the mix for the 25-year-old.

Part of Manchester United’s reasoning is the perceived uncertainty around Manchester City’s ability to offer Semenyo a clear long-term project. Pep Guardiola is described as a huge fan of Semenyo but has been tipped to step down at the end of the season. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, previously an assistant to Guardiola at City, has been touted as a replacement.

That managerial uncertainty could weaken City’s hand. Without confirmation of a settled long-term vision for the player, City’s potential offer may lack the assurances Semenyo and his camp seek. United and other suitors are looking to exploit that hesitancy by trying to strike a deal in the coming weeks.

United have targeted Semenyo before. They submitted a summer bid of £50 million that was rejected by the Cherries, and they were unwilling to meet Bournemouth’s £80 million asking price at that time. With Bournemouth reportedly agreeing to a lower exit price for the first half of the January window, United believe this is an opportunity to revisit the move and finally secure a long-time target.

The situation presents a clear deadline for interested clubs: act early in January or risk losing the chance to trigger the clause and compete for Semenyo’s signature.

Manchester United and Bournemouth played out a relentless 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in a match defined by rapid momentum swings and clinical finishing. United twice led in the first half before Bournemouth rallied after the interval to take a 3-2 lead. United then moved ahead again, only for Junior Kroupi to force an 84th-minute equaliser and ensure the points were shared.

The evening began with United dominant. Diogo Dalot’s cross caused confusion in the box and Amad nodded in the opener. Bournemouth responded through Antoine Semenyo, who cut through hesitant passing on the hosts’ left and finished into the bottom corner. Casemiro restored United’s lead with a late first-half header from a corner.

The second half exposed the space left by an isolated United midfield. Marcus Tavernier exploited that gap, first laying on a chance that Evanilson finished and then scoring himself after a quick counter-attack to give Bournemouth a 3-2 advantage. United hit back quickly: Bruno Fernandes produced a top-corner free kick to level and Matheus Cunha fired United back in front shortly after.

Kroupi’s composed finish amid a cluster of defenders brought Bournemouth level again at 4-4. At the death, Senne Lammens made two superb stoppage-time saves to deny Bournemouth a winner.

Several United performers stood out. Bruno Fernandes was influential in possession and scored from a free kick. Amad received strong marks for his industrious contribution, while Matheus Cunha’s movement caused persistent problems for the visitors. Senne Lammens made important late saves despite being beaten by precise finishes from Semenyo and Evanilson earlier.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had warned his players of the difficulty ahead: “It’s true that we have good memories,” Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola wistfully recalled of his recent trips to Old Trafford ahead of kickoff. “Unfortunately, today is going to be more difficult.” Ahead of the game Amorim told his players, “A change is coming,” but the wholesale tactical shift that had been suggested did not materialise on the night.

The game finished level after eighty-eight minutes of end-to-end action that left both sets of supporters with plenty to digest. Statistically United edged possession and xG but the final scoreline reflected a match of constant openings and exposed defensive moments.

Manchester United have opened a monitoring file on United States international Tyler Adams as they explore cost-effective midfield reinforcements ahead of the January window. Fabrizio Romano reports Adams has emerged as a candidate to potentially succeed Casemiro, with the 20-time English champions viewing the Bournemouth midfielder as a more realistic, cheaper option than other targets.

Sources suggest Adams could carry a manageable £40 million ($53.5 million) price tag, but the fee may prove secondary. The Cherries reportedly “insist” on keeping the USMNT midfielder and consider him a very “important” player. With the likelihood of Antoine Semenyo leaving Bournemouth, the club would be vulnerable if they also lost Adams.

Manchester United continue to prioritise Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton at the top of their midfield wishlist, and the club is expected to allow wantaway midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to leave this winter. Against that backdrop, Adams represents a cheaper alternative who can operate as the engine in front of the back line.

Ruben Amorim and Manchester United will get a close look at Adams when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Monday evening. The match is also notable for Adams personally: he has fond early memories of the stadium and has spoken openly about its influence on his ambitions.

“It’s just a special occasion,” Adams said on the Men in Blazers podcast . “This is what you grow up watching, whether you’re a fan or not. A fan of Manchester United walking into Old Trafford will change your perspective on everything.

“I played against Manchester United at Old Trafford during COVID[-19] with RB Leipzig. That was the first time I walked into Old Trafford and I was like, my dream is really to play in the Premier League because this is what it’s about right here.

“… Now being able to go back and play there multiple times and have good results, especially makes it a little bit better. So yeah, I always get excited to play against United.”

Adams, who won November’s Premier League Goal of the Month for his 47-yard strike against Sunderland, will be aiming for a commanding display to reinforce his standing as a realistic January target.