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ANTOINE SEMENYO CONFIRMS LOYALTY TO BOURNEMOUTH DESPITE TEMPTING TRANSFER OFFERS

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo addresses summer transfer rumors and confirms his commitment to the Cherries. The in-form winger, among the Premier League's top scorers, reveals his personal goals for the season ahead.

Antoine Semenyo confirms loyalty to Bournemouth despite tempting transfer offers
Semenyo speaks out on transfer links - COURTESY/PHOTO

Although Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo acknowledges that he is aware of the rumors swirling around him, he is happy that he stayed with the Cherries during the summer.

Following significant movements made by his former teammates Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Illia Zabarnyi during the most recent transfer window, the Ghanaian international was linked to several teams.

Despite the interest in him, Semenyo, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023, chose to stay with the south coast team, and he is now enjoying the benefits of a superb start to the season.

The winger spoke with Jamie Redknapp of Sky Sports before Super Sunday's match against Manchester City, where he was questioned about his future.

Semenyo remarked, "I do not think about it too much." "I make every effort to be in the moment. You and I both constantly watch the news; I am not blind to it, but I make an effort to stay focused.

"I am having fun playing football here. If everything disappears if I am not scoring goals. I make an effort to be there, give the team my best effort, score goals, and deal with whatever comes up in the future.

"There was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club when they [his old teammates] all went [in the summer]."

However, I had a sneaking suspicion that the management had something planned for this year. We may continue because of how successfully we ended the previous season, especially with the players we have added.

"At first, I was not entirely convinced, but we have gotten started like a house on fire. I am happy I committed to stay here since I am having a great time."

Semenyo (6) has more Premier League goals this season than only Erling Haaland (11), and the two will play one another on Sunday.

The 25-year-old says he sets goals for himself in a journal at the beginning of a new season, but he wants more after returning with 11 league goals the previous year.

"I write my goals every year in my journal," he continued. "I always aim to outperform myself from seasons past.

"I said I wanted to push myself, so I established a task for myself. I have a lot of ways to aid the club, and I want to thank the manager and the players for their tremendous assistance.

"The double figures for goals and assists were up there, but I do not want to give away too much about the difficulties this season. For me, timing shots and passing the ball are very crucial. They are the key ones.

"It would be fantastic to reach 15 goals. I just had double figures in goals last year, and I like to think I finish well, so I can give myself a chance this year and really get going.

"I spend a lot of time on my finishing, even during the off-season. During the preseason, my [individual football] coach and I worked on extremely challenging finishes on constrained angles.

Additionally, Semenyo responded to the most pressing query: which foot is his best? He clarified, "I am right-footed… yet using both is natural."

"I was in the park with my parents when I was two or three years old, and I really enjoyed a kickabout. "You can use your left and right foot," my father stated, and I replied, "Yeah, Dad, I can." When my mother asked if that was typical, my father replied, "Just wait and see." It is clear now.

"I am fortunate, but it is not common. It is difficult for defenders, and I am not sure where I am heading, but I am thankful for the opportunity."

Bournemouth is four points behind Arsenal in the Premier League standings going into the weekend. Many are questioning whether they can actually bring European football to the Vitality Stadium, despite the fact that only nine games of the season have been played.

Semenyo stated, "The manager suggests taking it game by game since things may change rapidly, but everything is possible."

Everyone is at their best throughout every training session and meeting. I commend the squad, and we remain focused and perform to the best of our abilities."

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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