Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo would have picked Arsenal over Manchester Metropolis had the Gunners made a bid for him, in keeping with The Athletic.
Semenyo has determined to affix Manchester Metropolis from Bournemouth within the January switch window, however he would have movd to Arsenal if the north London membership had been keen to set off his launch clause of £65 million.
The report notes: ‘There’s a feeling Arsenal would have ranked as his first selection had they been firmly on the desk, though many tipped Liverpool to prevail given their stuttering title defence, the uncertainty round Mohamed Salah, and Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes having initially recruited him to Bournemouth.
‘Tottenham tried once more, proposing a extremely aggressive wage, just for Semenyo to politely decline their advances and that resulted in Metropolis and United then rising because the main contenders.’
The report added: ‘Some of the talked-about names forward of the window is Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
‘The 25-year-old grew up as an Arsenal fan and was naturally within the prospect of a transfer to the Emirates.
‘The admiration is mutual — Arsenal have been impressed by Semenyo’s fast improvement at Bournemouth.
‘Whereas there was some contact between the events, it was clear from the outset that Arsenal’s curiosity was on the premise of a summer season transfer fairly than January.
‘With Semenyo keen to maneuver quickly, Manchester Metropolis now appear to have emerged because the participant’s most popular selection.’