David Ornstein: Tottenham Make Contact for ‘Deadly’ £70m Star, He Wants to Join
Tottenham Make Move for £70m-Rated Bournemouth Star Antoine Semenyo as Interest Intensifies
Tottenham Hotspur have officially made an approach for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, according to a fresh report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The Ghanaian international has emerged as a top target for Spurs this summer as the club prepares for a significant rebuild under new manager Thomas Frank.
The North London club is entering a new era following the dramatic departure of Ange Postecoglou, who, despite guiding the club to their first trophy in 17 years by winning a European competition, was dismissed shortly afterward due to an underwhelming domestic campaign. Spurs endured a torrid Premier League season, losing 22 of their 38 matches and narrowly avoiding relegation with a 17th-place finish. The poor league performance ultimately outweighed the European success, forcing the board to take drastic action.
In Postecoglou’s place, Tottenham appointed Thomas Frank, the Danish tactician renowned for transforming Brentford from a mid-table Championship side into a stable Premier League outfit over a seven-year tenure. Known for his intelligent, flexible tactics and ability to develop players, Frank now faces the immense challenge of restoring Tottenham’s domestic competitiveness while navigating European commitments.
To help implement his vision, Spurs are expected to be very active in the transfer market—and Antoine Semenyo appears to be among their priority targets.
Spurs Target Semenyo After Standout Season
According to Ornstein’s report, Tottenham have already made enquiries regarding the availability of Semenyo, who had an eye-catching season with Bournemouth. Signed from Bristol City in 2023, the versatile attacker has flourished under the guidance of Cherries boss Andoni Iraola. Capable of playing both as a winger and a central striker, Semenyo’s blend of pace, power, and finishing ability has made him one of the most effective attacking threats outside the traditional top-six clubs.
Spurs’ interest is understandable, but there’s a financial hurdle to overcome. Bournemouth reportedly value Semenyo at around £70 million, a fee Tottenham currently consider excessive. Nevertheless, there is optimism that a deal could still be struck, particularly given Semenyo’s apparent desire to make the move to North London. Ornstein notes that the player is “thought to be attracted by the prospect” of joining Spurs, which could influence Bournemouth’s stance during negotiations.
Bournemouth Facing Key Summer Decisions
Bournemouth, for their part, may be reluctant to part with one of their star performers, especially as they already face the potential departure of other key players. Promising young centre-back Dean Huijsen has reportedly left the club, and both Milos Kerkez and Ilya Zabarnyi are rumoured to be close to exits as well. Losing Semenyo on top of those departures would represent a significant blow to Iraola’s squad depth and attacking firepower.
Described by pundits as a “deadly” forward due to his direct style and goal-scoring instincts, Semenyo would be difficult to replace. He has not only contributed with goals but also played a key role in Bournemouth’s tactical transitions and pressing game, making him one of the more well-rounded forwards in the Premier League.
A Statement Signing for Spurs?
Should Spurs manage to secure Semenyo’s signature, it would send a strong signal of intent as they aim to bounce back from a dismal Premier League campaign. With Champions League football on the horizon and a fresh managerial philosophy being implemented, Tottenham are eager to reshape their squad and bring in players suited to Thomas Frank’s high-energy, tactically fluid style of play.
Adding a proven Premier League attacker like Semenyo would give them a major boost—not only in terms of quality but also squad versatility, something Frank has long valued in his tactical setups.
The coming weeks are likely to be crucial as talks continue. With Semenyo open to the move and Tottenham keen to strike a deal, negotiations between the two clubs could intensify as the summer window progresses.